The semi-circle altar is akin to a traditional arch but laid flat, forming a crescent-shaped arrangement of greenery and flowers that feels rooted and harmonious with nature.

Priests during the Heian period took care of altar arrangements and were known as the masters who developed the best way of arranging flowers known as ikebono, the oldest form of Ikebana.

The small floral arrangement usually seen on the corner of the altar of the chapel in the papal residence for morning Mass has discreetly disappeared, and no blooms adorn the chapel of the ...