A Peruvian immigrant mending the papal shoes
Benedict XVI's shoes are being repaired by a Peruvian immigrant, Antonio Arellano, which has a shoemaker's shop near the Vatican – the Italian press agency ADNKronos revealed. For years, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger personally brought him his shoes. Earlier, the shoemaker was repairing John Paul II's shoes. Arellano told the Italian agency, that the pope does not have a discount or special privileges with him and pays the same, like all other clients. To his establishment, located near Borgo Pio street, papal associates bring black and cherry loafers, sometimes scratched and a little damaged on the toes. He did not, however, which company the shoes of Benedict XVI come from.
The shoemaker stressed, that the Pope's shoes are repaired several times a year, often before pilgrimages. This was the case, among other things – he mentioned – before last year's trip to Poland, when, literally a few days before it, he received Benedict XVI's black loafers to be repaired.
– Polish sisters also brought me John Paul II shoes – added Antonio Arellano, whose clients are many dignitaries of the Vatican.