Colombian tailor Luis Abel Delgado works on February 27, 2013, in Cali, department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, on one of the miters that will be used by the new Pope. Delgado, 43, was designated by the Vatican to make apparel to be used by the Pope who will replace Pope Benedict XVI after his resignation. AFP PHOTO / LUIS ROBAYO (LUIS ROBAYO)
Detail of a belt made by Colombian tailor Luis Abel Delgado to be used by the new Pope on February 27, 2013, in Cali, department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Delgado, 43, was designated by the Vatican to make apparel to be used by the Pope who will replace Pope Benedict XVI after his resignation. AFP PHOTO / LUIS ROBAYO (LUIS ROBAYO)
Colombian tailor Luis Abel Delgado shows on February 27, 2013, in Cali, department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, one of the garments that will be used by the new Pope. Delgado, 43, was designated by the Vatican to make apparel to be used by the Pope who will replace Pope Benedict XVI after his resignation. AFP PHOTO / LUIS ROBAYO (LUIS ROBAYO)
Cali, Colombia. AFP. Comenzó remendando uniformes de soldados, luego se dedicó a elaborar insignias militares y escudos en las bandas presidenciales, pero ahora el colombiano Luis Abel Delgado cumple con la “misión divina” de bordar cuidadosamente los paramentos que vestirá el sucesor del papa Benedicto XVI.
“Estoy en la misión divina de tejer (bordar), con telas que me enviaron desde Roma, la mitra, la casulla, la estola y el alba que usará el futuro Pontífice”, dijo en su casa de Cali, suroeste de Colombia, este sastre de 44 años.
Delgado trabajó durante varios años para Benedicto XVI, quien ayer dejó de ser Papa.
“El viernes (hoy) voy a enviar una parte (del trabajo) y el próximo martes, la otra parte”, manifestó el sastre mientras bordaba a mano una cruz dorada en profunda concentración y con cuidado milimétrico.