While we wait and hope Pope Leo XIV will return to the Twin Cities – where he studied as a seminarian in the early 1980s – we know that 250-300 items from previous popes, saints and others are coming here this winter.
In celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Catholic Church in Minnesota, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is hosting Vatican Unveiled, an exhibit of the largest collection of papal artifacts outside of Rome. Father Richard Kunst, a priest of the Diocese of Duluth, serves as curator of the exhibit. Father Kunst has a deep knowledge of the items and a passion for telling their stories.
This unique, historical collection will be hosted daily at Mall of America from January 10 – February 1, 2026. Some of the items will include a document with the second oldest papal signature outside of the Vatican and a Swiss Guard uniform from the time of Pius X so rare that the Swiss Guard asked to borrow it for their own exhibit.
The 19,000 square foot exhibit is open and welcoming to all, as people will experience interesting historical perspectives, artistic items with old-world craftsmanship, and papal artifacts that show the humanity behind the leaders.
You may find more details about the exhibit on the Archdiocese’s Vatican Unveiled website, along with this media kit and special promotional video from Archbishop Hebda.
Archbishop Hebda and the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis look forward to hosting you and your viewers, listeners and readers.
About Father Richard Kunst:
Originally from Duluth, Minnesota, Father Richard Kunst was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Duluth in 1998. Prior to ordination, he worked in the political realm as a staff member for U.S. Senator Rod Grams of Minnesota. As a priest, Father Kunst juggles parish assignments as well as diocesan duties, including columnist for The Northern Cross and oversight of initial phases of the sainthood cause of Monsignor Joseph Buh. Father Kunst has a deep love for Church history as can be seen in the collection of papal and other artifacts he has curated.
