Pope Leo XIV: A Letter Written to Friends Early in His Priesthood

Father Richard Kunst

“This is a gift I received from Pastor John and Polly Snider, Pope Leo XIV’s friends, written on February 25, 1984.  

I am greatly humbled by the gift of this letter from Pastor John and Polly Snider.  It is an intimate portrait of the future pope to his close friends, and it gives us a window into the life of Fr. Bob Prevost in the beginning years of his ministry.”

How This Connection Came to Be

In January 2026 Father Kunst’s very large collection of papal artifacts (and saints’ artifacts) were displayed at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, an event that Pastor John and Polly attended.  At that event the couple met Father Kunst and subsequently gifted him with this letter and agreed to visit his home parish in Duluth to talk about their friendship with (now) Pope Leo XIV.

We are honored to share this letter, complete with the handwritten message that ends it.

Thank you, Pastor John and Polly, for your generosity and kindness.