The pope is not due to visit St. Joseph?s Seminary in Yonkers until April 19, but restoration work is already under way in preparation for the pontiff.

The last time the chapel at the seminary got a facelift was in 1995, before a visit from Pope John Paul II. The same crew is touching up the space again. Father Michael Martine, who teaches cannon law at the seminary, is overseeing the restoration.

D?Ambrosio Studios of Mount Kisco, which specializes in church restorations, is in charge of the work.

Fifty disabled children will be blessed by Pope Benedict XVI in the chapel during his visit. He will also pray with 20,000 people on the seminary grounds.

Martine says he does not take two papal visits to St. Joseph?s for granted. He says he never expected such a blessing to happen a second time. Pope Benedict XVI previously visited St. Joseph?s in the 1980s when he was a cardinal.

For extended footage and interviews about the restorations, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.

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