The Pope's new clothes: Family-owned tailors already has his robes ready

While the world waits for the election of the new Pope the Vatican's official tailor shop has already prepared - by making three sets of the famous robes.

Although the Cardinals have yet to meet in the Sistine Chapel to elect the new Pope the family-owned Gammarelli tailor shop, which has dressed each Pope for more than two centuries, has already stocked the white and red uniform.

One of the three sets of robes on display in the Italian shop will be the one the new Pope wears when he appears on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica in front of millions of people for the first time.

A white silk skullcap, known as a "zucchetto", a white sash with golden fringes and red leather shoes were displayed on a bed of red cloth in the window.

Tradition dictates that three versions of the same robes will be made in advance for the new Pope, whatever his size.

Once the white smoke has appeared from the Sistine Chapel, signifying that a Pope has been chosen, nuns at the Vatican make last-minute alterations to the robes that are the closest fit before the Pope makes his first public entrance.

Gammarelli, behind the Pantheon in central Rome, has served hundreds of cardinals and Popes since 1798. Pope Pius XII was an exception: he used his family tailor.

Pope Benedict XVI officially resigned on February 28 after eight years as head of the Catholic Church. A new Pope is due to be elected in time to preside over Easter celebrations.