Vatican reuses old cassocks for next pope, reflecting Francis' environmental stance

Rome's Gammarelli tailors will not be making any new vestments for the next pope as the Vatican plans to reuse cassocks from previous conclaves, reflecting Pope Francis' environmental consciousness.

The conclave process will begin after Francis’s burial, with cardinals voting to elect a new pope.

Traditionally, Gammarelli has prepared three white cassocks since at least the beginning of the 20th century; however, this time they received no request from the Vatican.

Lorenzo Gammarelli believes that reusing vestments reflects Francis’s values and is likely to continue in future elections.

While Gammarelli tailors are currently preparing outfits for those arriving for the conclave, they were told by the Vatican that it has already taken care of the new pope's vestments.

The process of making a papal cassock involves three-and-a-half days of cutting, preparing, and hand-sewing the fabric, tailored specifically for potential candidates.