Minnesota archdiocese to host exhibit of largest collection of papal artifacts outside of Rome October 25, 2025By Josh McGovern The Catholic Spirit Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, World News ST. PAUL, Minn. (OSV News) — From Jan. 10 to Feb. 1, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis will host “Vatican Unveiled,” an exhibit of the largest collection of papal artifacts outside of Rome, in celebration of the archdiocese’s 175th anniversary. Father Rich Kunst, right, shows a Holy Year brick to Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis at the Archdiocesan Catholic Center in St. Paul during an introductory session Aug. 13, 2025, about “Vatican Unveiled,” an exhibit of the largest collection of papal artifacts outside of Rome taking place Jan. 10 to Feb. 1, 2026, at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. (OSV News photo/David Hrbacek, The Catholic Spirit) The 19,000-square-foot exhibit — curated by Father Richard Kunst, a priest of the Diocese of Duluth — will be hosted at the Mall of America in Bloomington. Items will include a document with the second-oldest papal signature outside the Vatican and a Swiss Guard uniform, the archdiocese announced in a news release Oct. 6. In a video announcing the exhibit, Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda extended the invitation “to a very special celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. It’s called ‘Vatican Unveiled,’ and it is a special exhibit of the largest collection of papal and other artifacts outside of Vatican City, the home of the Catholic Church.” Father Kunst, ordained in 1998, has said he grew up collecting items. Before his ordination, he was a staff member for the late U.S. Sen. Rod Grams, a Republican from Minnesota. The priest has developed a deep knowledge of the items in the “Vatican Unveiled” collection and a “passion for telling their stories,” the archdiocese stated in the news release. Father Kunst is the vocations director for the Duluth Diocese and a former columnist for The Northern Cross, a monthly diocesan newspaper in Duluth that ceased operations last November. The diocese recently announced in a Facebook post that it plans to publish The Northern Cross in a magazine format starting in December. Josh McGovern is a reporter at The Catholic Spirit, newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. This story was originally published by The Catholic Spirit and is distributed through a partnership with OSV News. Read More Arts & Culture ‘Rebirth’ art project offers counternarrative for Father Rupnik accusers, abuse survivors Visitor breath, sweat and climate change prompt work on Sistine Chapel masterpiece Historian reflects on Michelangelo’s ‘Last Judgement’ with Sistine Chapel restoration underway For its 400th anniversary, St. Peter’s Basilica to get 21st-century upgrade, Vatican announces Three young sisters launch ‘Grace Keys’ musical ministry with Lenten program Artist prays daily for Pope Leo XIV after painting his portrait for U.S. seminary in Rome Copyright © 2025 OSV News Print
