Pope John Paul II making use of a pre-dieu.
What is a “prie-dieu”?
A prie-dieu (French: literally, “pray [to] God”, plural prie-dieux) is a type of prayer desk primarily intended for private devotional use, but may also be found in churches. It is a small, ornamental wooden desk furnished with a thin, sloping shelf for books or hands, and a kneeler.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prie-dieu