Baseball Signed by Pope Francis
Baseball Signed by Pope Francis on April 29, 2015Baseball Signed by Pope Francis on April 29, 2015
Father Kunst's Joy Watching the Signing of the Baseball
Pope Francis Agreeing to Sign Father's Baseball
Fr Richard Kunst and Pope Francis 3Fr Richard Kunst and Pope Francis

Updated: 05/04/2015 7:26 PM
Created: 05/04/2015 4:35 PM WDIO.com
By: Julie Kruse
jkruse@wdio.com

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.”

Kunst was also able to bring the Pope a DVD copy of the EWTN series that he hosts.

That airs Monday at 5:30 p.m. on the EWTN network.

Listen to Father Kunst’s first homily at his home parish upon his return from Rome. His delight is contained in his words, “I’m still on cloud nine!”