ROME -- A small gallery window, just a few blocks from St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica, is drawing a lot of attention these days.
In the front display, along a narrow cobblestone street, is the most precious gift given to the gallery operator: one of the last vestments worn by Pope Benedict XVI before he resigned in 2013.
鈥淚t was very important for me to have this; it鈥檚 a huge acknowledgement of the work we鈥檙e doing to try to create a museum,鈥� Ivan Marsura, director of Galleria Arte Poli, told CTV National News on Wednesday.
The simple white vestment with a short white 鈥榩ellegrina鈥� cape was gifted to Marsura, who says he is planning to create a 鈥淢useum of Popes鈥� with his dozens of items collected over the years.
鈥淭o prevent things and items of the popes from disappearing,鈥� Marsura said.
The vestment is now one of his most beloved items.
Some of the thousands of people who have filed through St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica to pay their respects to Benedict lying in state have stopped by the gallery, many snapping a photo and even a selfie with the garment.
鈥淵esterday, there was a mother and her child, who was in a wheelchair, they came here and asked if the child could kiss the vestment,鈥� Marsura said.
Once they did she told him the child鈥檚 second name was Benedict.
鈥淭hey were so emotional; it was so touching,鈥� he said.
Marsura began his private collection years ago, at first purchasing items, but he says in 2013, when the Vatican gave him one of Benedict鈥檚 vestments, other bishops and cardinals have since donated to his collection. A museum and foundation is apparently in the works, with the goal of preventing documents and pictures from being lost or stolen.
Marsura says he has hundreds of documents, books, pictures and other objects, some already on display in the gallery, but he wants an official museum and charitable foundation to be established.
Lying on the floor of the gallery is a large banner that reads 鈥淏enedict XVI - Doctor of the Church.鈥� Marsura says he believes Benedict is higher than a saint, and that he is planning with some friends to unfurl the banner during Benedict鈥檚 funeral Thursday.
Outside, people stopped in front of the gallery, admiring the vestment and taking photos.
鈥淚 love being in Rome, one of the most beautiful parts is the historical and cultural significance of everything and it鈥檚 impossible to ignore the church.鈥� Courtney Mills, an opera singer who moved to Rome from the United States, told CTV National News.
She believes 鈥淸Benedict] was a great lover of music and wanted to bring joy and beauty to many people鈥檚 lives and I think that is important.鈥�
Viewing this vestment from the street, just blocks from where Benedict is lying in sate, seems to bring joy to many people, a unique way to pay their respects where they least expected it.
