Father Richard Kunst
I was surprised to receive an email from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. They reached out to me, because they hosted an exhibit in September and October 2024 on the relationship and work between President Reagan and St. Pope John Paul II and asked if I would lend some pieces from my Collection for their exhibit.
Needless to say I was more than happy to help as I am an unapologetic fan of our 40th President, and it was an honor to be part of anything the Presidential Library is doing in its work.
I traveled there along with some members that ran the Vatican Unveiled exhibit in Duluth, MN in 2022.
We were present for the opening of the exhibit. This interview was done while I was there.
It was great for me personally to know that I played a part in honoring Reagan’s and John Paul’s work for freedom and the fall of the Iron Curtain as both men were key to the end of the Cold War.
This is the podcast which featured some of the items I brought to the exhibit including a miter, cardinal zuchetto, train pass, ciborium and one of the Wujek signed cards–all truly priceless items from my favoirte saint!
St. Pope John Paul II, pray for us!
Here is the podcast Father Kunst participated in.
August 31 – October 27, 2024
Ronald Reagan once called Pope John Paul II “a man of peace and goodness — an inspiration to the world.” And, in a letter Pope John Paul II wrote to President Reagan to thank him and his administration for working to resolve the Lebanese crisis, he finished the letter with “I ask the Lord to give courage and wisdom to the leaders involved in the arduous task of constructing peace in the Middle East.”
In addition to their firm stances against Communism, Saint John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan had strikingly similar backgrounds. Both leaders had survived attempts on their lives and had granted forgiveness to their would-be assassins. Both had worked as actors in their early years prior to becoming influential figures. As such, both came from a unique perspective unlike their colleagues. They were optimistic that peace was possible. Their similar outlooks made them suitable allies and a force of hope in the world.
Join us between August 31 and October 27, 2024, as the Reagan Library brings to the public an all-new special exhibition, The Pope and The President: Bringing Hope to the World. The exhibit, which covers different chapter of Saint John Paul II’s life – from his childhood to joining the priesthood to his first meeting with President Reagan that set the stage for their long-lasting friendship and partnership., tells the story of President Reagan and Saint John Paul II’s enduring collaboration, enabling visitors to experience their lives and impact in parallel. The exhibit also gives the public a chance to view never-before-seen gifts to President Ronald Reagan from Saint John Paul II and the Vatican. It will also display documents leading up to the five face-to-face meetings between the two men: The Vatican (June 7, 1982), Alaska (May 2, 1984, Miami/Vizcaya (September 10, 1987), and The Vatican (June 6, 1987).
Objects on display include a Pope Saint John Paul II bronze bust, gifted by the Friends of John Paul II and sculpted by American sculptor Gordon Kray, as well as documents preceding the four face-to-face meetings between Reagan and Saint John Paul II, the dress Nancy Reagan wore when first meeting the Pope, souvenirs from the 1984 meeting in Alaska and several gifts from the Pope to the Reagans, including an ivory Madonna and blessed medallions.
This exhibit is made possible through generous support from the Knights of Columbus.
Other support provided by Polish Slavic Federal Credit Union, and Ned & Carol Spieker.
