Vatican Unveiled

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

01/29/2026

Thank you Star Tribune

01/24/2026

It’s a beautiful day…..to be inside

Our Curator, Fr. Rich Kunst is at the exhibit this weekend, be sure to ask him questions if you see him. He is a great historian in general and can give you additional context behind all of the artifacts—many with some fun context behind them.

This is his private collection of relics and artifacts, on display through February 1. All in celebration of the 175th Anniversary of the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis.

Tickets available for Vatican Unveiled at the door, we are on the second floor, below the N. Food Court.

01/22/2026

There is less than two weeks left to see the Vatican Unveiled exhibit at Mall of America. It’s not all about the popes, we also have relics of many saints, including Saint Maximilian Kolbe, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta as well as St. John Vianney.

Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Visit Bloomington Mall of America

01/17/2026

Our busiest day by far for the celebration of their 175th year. Our exhibit runs through February 1, tickets available online or at the door.

01/13/2026

Come and visit us at Mall of America. You don’t need to be Catholic to appreciate what’s inside. The exhibit takes about 90 minutes to wander through.

01/03/2026

Fr. Rich and the ‘VU’ Team are working hard to get the exhibit ready at the Mall of America January 10-February 1. There are many new artifacts in the collection, we hope to see you!

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12/29/2025

Join us at Mall of America in January!

11/26/2025

Our signing is startingto go up at Mall of America for our Exhibit January 10-Feb 1.

Tickets coming soon!

11/04/2025

Our Curator, Father Rich Kunst, meeting POPE LEO at an audience in October. Tickets will be going on sale soon for the Vatican Unveiled exhibit at Mall of America, January 10-February 1, 2026. visit https://www.archspm.org/vaticanunveiled/ to get on the wait list!