Published on September 21, 2026
A Special Chapter in DèPio’s History
In the heart of Botticino Sera, Calzificio DèPio has represented the excellence of Italian craftsmanship for more than 76 years.
Founded by Pio Chiaruttini and now passionately led by his daughter Mary together with her children, Elisabetta and Giordano, the family-run hosiery company creates luxury socks for men, women and children, combining creativity, quality and the sartorial tradition of Made in Italy.
Over the decades, DèPio has experienced many memorable moments. One of the most extraordinary took place in 2009, when the company had the honour of producing socks for Pope Benedict XVI.
The Pope’s Visit to Brescia
On 8 November 2009, Pope Benedict XVI travelled to the province of Brescia for a pastoral visit to Brescia and Concesio, the birthplace of Pope Paul VI.
During his visit, the Pontiff learned about the craftsmanship of Calzificio DèPio. Through Don Raffaele Licini, parish priest of Botticino Sera, the Pope’s entourage subsequently expressed an interest in receiving socks made by the company.
Mary Chiaruttini and the DèPio team immediately accepted the request, approaching this remarkable commission with the same care and dedication traditionally reserved for every product made in the Botticino workshop.
Two Precious Sets, Made by Hand
DèPio produced two exclusive sets of milk-white socks: one made from Superior Extrafine Merino Wool and the other from 100% cashmere.
The socks were knitted on a double-cylinder machine and then carefully hand-linked, following the finest tradition of Italian hosiery manufacturing. Every detail reflected the company’s commitment to quality, comfort and understated elegance.
On 15 November 2009, Don Raffaele Licini travelled to the Vatican to deliver the precious socks to the Pope’s closest collaborators.
A Gesture Acknowledged by the Vatican
The gift was officially acknowledged by the Secretariat of State of the Holy See in a letter dated 1 December 2009.
The letter expressed Pope Benedict XVI’s gratitude for the thoughtful gesture and for the devotion that had inspired it. The Holy Father also extended his Apostolic Blessing to the company and to all those involved.
Newspapers reported the story with headlines celebrating the local origin of the papal socks: a small but meaningful tribute to the skill, dedication and manufacturing heritage of the Brescia area.
From Botticino Sera to the Vatican
For Calzificio DèPio, producing socks for Pope Benedict XVI was much more than a prestigious commission. It was a source of profound pride for the Chiaruttini family, the company’s craftspeople and the entire local community.
From a workshop in Botticino Sera to the Vatican, this story embodies the most authentic spirit of Made in Italy: carefully selected materials, traditional techniques, meticulous workmanship and a passion handed down from one generation to the next.
A Tradition That Continues
More than fifteen years later, the memory of this special commission remains part of DèPio’s heritage.
Machines and styles may evolve, but the company’s values remain unchanged: respect for tradition, attention to every detail and the belief that true luxury is created through experience, patience and skilled hands.
The socks crafted for Pope Benedict XVI are one of the threads that connect DèPio’s past to its present, a unique chapter in a family story that continues to be woven in Botticino Sera.