Another Look at The Baseball Story with Pope Francis & Fr. Richard Kunst

The Papal Artifacts’ Collection is filled with memorable and priceless artifacts–and the memorable and priceless stories of the Curator’s acquisition of them.  And one of the most delightful is the April 29, 2015 signing of a baseball by a very gracious Holy Father.  Below are some memories of that day.

Some say pictures are worth a thousand words, but for Father Richard Kunst, it’s a signed baseball that left him speechless.
Father Kunst traveled to Rome last week and met Pope Francis, but the Pope also signed his baseball.

“I was on cloud nine. I was pumped,” said Father Kunst. “I am a student of papal history, and the papacy is something that’s my passion, so for the opportunity to converse with the Holy Father is a big deal.”

Although the conversation only lasted a minute and there were some language barriers, a long-awaited moment finally arrived.

Why a baseball?

“The rarity and uncommon nature of it,” said Father Kunst. “You can bring something like this out to people not interested in the faith and a signed baseball would still maybe speak to them a bit.”

The story of Father Richard Kunst getting a baseball signed by Pope Francis went viral. You can see more articles on it here:

Sports Illustrated: Pope Francis signed a baseball for a Minnesota priest

The Washington Times: Duluth priest says Pope Francis signed baseball for him

Fox 21 KQDS: Local Priest Gets Pope Francis Autographed Baseball

WDIO: Duluth Pastor Visits Vatican, Returns with Baseball Signed by the Pope

The EWTN Series, The Papacy, A Living History

Before asking Pope Francis to sign his baseball, Father Kunst presented our Holy Father with a copy of  The Papacy: A Living History: an EWTN presentation he hosted for two seasons.  The series showcased this papal artifacts’ Collection and was a great hit.  Please click on the photos to see a larger version of them.