05/03/2026
We’ve never told this story publicly — until now. ⚾
Before our most recent Vatican Unveiled Exhibit even opened its doors at Mall of America in January 2026, a very special baseball was stolen from Fr. Richard Kunst, our curator. It was a baseball signed by Pope Francis — a personal gift — and it was gone before a single visitor ever walked through the exhibit.
We kept it out of the media, but our team was deflated. But, the exhibit had to go on, and it did — beautifully.
Here’s where the story gets even better:
During Vatican Unveiled, a couple came to the exhibit — John and Polly Snider, close friends of the man who would become Pope Leo.
Fr. Rich connected with them, and that friendship didn’t end when the exhibit closed.
Today, John and Polly spent a few hours with Pope Leo himself. And our new American pope — the one with our Vatican Unveiled book sitting right in front of him — signed a baseball for Fr. Rich!
We didn’t know John and Polly were doing this for us, and when the text came through after Mass, it was quite the surprise. We are so thankful for this friendship!!
>> A stolen baseball.
>> A friendship born at Mall of America.
>> A pope who knows the whole story.
Some things are worth the wait. 🙏
Diocese of Duluth PapalArtifacts.com
