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Deacon Kyle Eller

Duluth Priest’s Papal Collection World-Class
Kyle Eller, Editor
The Northern Cross
May 2008

Duluth Priest’s Papal Collection World-Class

Father Richard Kunst is known in some circles as “the Warren Buffett of papal collections.” That’s because he has probably the largest collection of papal artifacts, signatures and memorabilia in North America, and he says he’s “pretty confident” it’s in the top two or three collections in the world.

“There’s no reason in the world why a priest from Duluth should have this collection,” he told a group assembled at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth April 8.

The student group Calling All Catholics hosted the educational display to anticipate Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States. The collection was mentioned in a New York radio broadcast to coincide with the visit as well.

Those assembled at Mitchell Auditorium got a taste of how the collection has expanded since a much larger exhibition in 2004 was used as a fundraiser for vocations.

Father Kunst had a host of new and interesting items, including several related to Pope Benedict XVI, notably a holy card from his ordination as a priest, his zucchetto and an autographed picture of him from 20 days after his election.

Even more unusual was an unused tally sheet—the document upon which the cardinal electors vote—that was used in the conclave that elected Benedict. Then-Cardinal Ratzinger’s name appears at the top.

Additional new items included a chalice from the Papal States and, most remarkable of all, a seal from Pope Gregory XVI. Papal seals are collected, destroyed and buried to prevent forgeries when a pope dies, and so it is an item that technically should not exist.

Father Kunst told them that the dealer who sold it to him said, “One does not ask the sisters where they obtain their items.”

Among the other items explained by Father Kunst before inviting the crowd onto the stage to view them were bricks from the Holy Door at the Vatican, including one older than any on display at the Vatican; a Swiss Guard uniform from the time of Pius X, which the Vatican asked to use during the 500^th anniversary celebration of the Guard; and a letter that he says could have gotten a future pope excommunicated. It was written by the future Benedict XIV, who wrote it during a conclave, in violation of church law.

“Historically, it’ a very interesting letter,” he said.

Father Kunst said his oldest document dates to 1216. But he said the clothing in his collection is one of its most rare parts. “Popes do not have rummage sales,” he said.

Father Kunst, who started collecting in 1994 and said he spends about 70 percent of his income on the collection, said it’s getting harder to compete as the items appreciate in value.

He described several items he has had to let go, including a manuscript by St. Thomas More that was going for $12,000. As it stands, he would not give an estimate of its value, calling it “priceless.”

Father Kunst said he has had many requests to display the collection elsewhere, including at the John Paul II Cultural Center. But his long-term goal is to have the collection on permanent display in Duluth, for education purposes, something he said would require considerable resources and perhaps international support to do properly. —-Deacon Kyle Eller

Papal Artifacts thanks Deacon Kyle for his generosity in finding and sharing this article with us!