President Barack Obama's gift for Pope Benedict at his audience was a stole that has been draped around the enshrined body of St John Neumann in Philadelphia for nearly 20 years. "It's a sacred gift," Fr Kevin Moley, pastor of the National Shrine of St John Neumann in Northern Liberties, told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
White House officials declined to confirm the gift or discuss the matter before the meeting took place.
At the end of June, a State Department official called the St Jude Shop and asked for advice on a papal gift, said Louis DiCocco 3rd, from the family that owns the shop.
The official first suggested an antique chalice, but then gave up the idea, hoping for something with more historical significance.
DiCocco and his brother Robert began discussing possibilities. They called their contacts in the Catholic community.
When they phoned the National Shrine of St John Neumann, officials there suggested the stole, Louis DiCocco said.
"We told [State Department officials] that we had something very precious, representing Catholic history in America and specifically Philadelphia history," Louis DiCocco said.
State Department officials thought the sash of St John Neumann was perfect.
The ivory stole, with gold, crimson, and blue trim, was wrapped around the body of Neumann, the first U.S. bishop to be named a saint.
Born in what is now the Czech Republic, Neumann immigrated to the United States and served as bishop of Philadelphia from 1852 until his death in 1860.
He was known for his service to immigrant communities, and built 35 Catholic schools in eight years.
A member of the Redemptorist Fathers and Brothers religious order, he was canonized in 1977.
The sash was in place under a glass encasement starting in 1989.
It was removed in 2007 when the body was re-dressed with the help of Cardinal Justin Rigali.
The sash then was kept at the church, Moley said, until Louis DiCocco came calling.
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