Papal Altar Delivered to Basilica

The partially finished altar that Pope Francis will use to celebrate Mass on Sept. 23 arrived at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Aug. 21. It was designed by Catholic University architecture students in the spring. Deacon Dave Cahoon, a carpenter and deacon for the Archdiocese of Washington, built the altar following the students’ design. The base of the altar will be painted while it is inside the Basilica to ensure it matches the color of the marble in the Great Upper Church where it will be placed after the papal Mass.