# Simple Papal Thrones The Pope's Chair for His NYC Mass is Unassumingly Plain with a Plywood Frame By Cadhla Gray | Published 2015-09-28 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/popes-chair References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2015/09/25/pope-francis-new-york-mass-visit-plywood-throne/) & [jimlenahan.wix](http://jimlenahan.wix.com/jlpd) Designed for the papal New York City visit, the Pope's chair was met with some different reactions and opinions. Plain and non-imposing, some view its simplicity as an insult, while others believe the chair is supposed to represent Pope Francis' [commitment to humility](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ekko-chair) and his rejection of material possessions. The [tall plywood chair](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-limbo-chair) features simple linear designs with a light-colored plywood and a darker mahogany trim. The [cushioned seat and back](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/press-armchair) was made with a crisp white material -- a color appropriate for a holy figure. Designer Jim Lenahan wanted to make the often elaborate "throne" unassuming and have it support the same thoughts and sentiments the Pope would speak of at his New York City mass. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.0/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 9% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Simple Chair Designs:** Designers are embracing simplicity in chair designs, creating opportunities for disruptive innovation in the furniture industry. - **Humility in Design:** More designers are exploring humility and simplicity in their designs, creating opportunities for disruptive innovation in various industries. - **Minimalism:** The trend towards minimalism is on the rise, creating opportunities for disruptive innovation in the design and architecture industries. ### Where This Applies - **Furniture:** The furniture industry can benefit from disruptive innovation by embracing simplicity and offering more streamlined designs. - **Fashion:** More designers in the fashion industry are exploring minimalistic designs that reject materialism, creating opportunities for disruptive innovation. - **Religious Artifacts:** The trend towards humble and simple religious artifacts, as seen in Pope Francis' chair, creates opportunities for disruptive innovation in the religious artifacts industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Plywood Sculptural Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mt-chair.md) - [High-Quality Flatpack Chair Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pagoda-chair.md) - [Traditional Church-Inspired Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pew-stool.md) - [Meditation Wood Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vipassa.md) - [Meticulous Paper-Stacked Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paragraphic-in-four-stacks.md) - [Haute Cohesive Plywood Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peel-chair-by-blond.md) - [All-Electric Pope Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/popemobile.md) - [Cubic Featherlight Seat Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/please-hold-up-chair.md) - [Simplistically Elegant Structural Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dopio.md)