Obama presents White House garden seeds to pope
March 27, 2014 | 05:51 PM
President Barack Obama today presented Pope Francis with a custom-made chest containing fruit and vegetable seeds used in the White House kitchen garden, the White House announced today.
Earlier this month, Pope Francis made the historic announcement that he would open to the public the gardens of the papal summer residence, the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, the White House noted.
The gift has ties to President Thomas Jefferson, whose garden at Monticello has provided some of the seeds First Lady Michelle Obama has used in the garden.
The chest is made from American leather, and features reclaimed wood from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is one of the oldest Catholic cathedrals in the United States.
The Basilica’s cornerstone was laid by John Carroll, a Jesuit and the first Catholic bishop and archbishop in the United States. The Cathedral was designed by Benjamin Latrobe, who was selected by Jefferson to serve as an architect of the Capitol, and played a pivotal role in its design and construction.
“In keeping with the spirit of the gift, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello will donate seeds that will yield several tons of produce to a charity of Pope Francis’ choosing,” the White House said.
Earlier this month, Pope Francis made the historic announcement that he would open to the public the gardens of the papal summer residence, the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, the White House noted.
The gift has ties to President Thomas Jefferson, whose garden at Monticello has provided some of the seeds First Lady Michelle Obama has used in the garden.
The chest is made from American leather, and features reclaimed wood from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is one of the oldest Catholic cathedrals in the United States.
The Basilica’s cornerstone was laid by John Carroll, a Jesuit and the first Catholic bishop and archbishop in the United States. The Cathedral was designed by Benjamin Latrobe, who was selected by Jefferson to serve as an architect of the Capitol, and played a pivotal role in its design and construction.
“In keeping with the spirit of the gift, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello will donate seeds that will yield several tons of produce to a charity of Pope Francis’ choosing,” the White House said.