On August 29, 2024, a delegation from the Friends of John Paul II Foundation’s Washington DC Chapter traveled to Simi Valley, California, to attend a special reception celebrating the opening of an exhibit prominently featuring the bronze bust created by our chapter member, celebrated sculptor Gordon S. Kray. This occasion brought to fruition the fascinating journey of the bust, gifted by the Friends last year at the Ronald Reagan Institute and Foundation in Washington with the plan of transferring it to the Ronald Reagan National Library in California for permanent display.
View a Podcast by Melissa Giller at the Ronald Reagan Library about the exhibit.
As promised, the John Paul II bust found its way to this new home, where it features prominently in the new exhibit entitled “The Pope and The President: Bringing Hope to the World,” organized by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute (RRPFI). The exhibit, which remains open until October 27, provides a unique opportunity to explore the profound bond between these two great men.
In addition to the bronze bust of Pope John Paul II, the exhibit showcases many special gifts exchanged between the Pope and President Reagan as well as artifacts loaned for the exhibit by the Knights of Columbus and Father Richard Kunst, ardent collector of papal memorabilia.
As noted in the RRPFI’s press release, the exhibit tells the story of President Reagan and Saint John Paul II’s enduring collaboration and friendship, allowing visitors to experience their lives and impacts in parallel. The Pope and President Reagan found common cause in their opposition to communism and their dedication to promoting world peace. Their relationship led to the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the Vatican forty years ago.
Melissa Giller, Chief Marketing Officer of the RRPFI, aptly stated, “While President Reagan and Pope John Paul II’s legacies are enduring, ‘The Pope and The President’ exhibit highlights the significant ways in which their paths converged to have a profound impact on modern history.” She added that “the diplomacy between President Reagan and Saint John Paul II contributed to the downfall of communism and the freedom that the modern world enjoys today, and it’s important we remember and celebrate their lasting impact.”
In her talk and tour of the exhibit, Melissa pointed out that the concept of the exhibit originated with the bust commissioned by the Friends of John Paul II Foundation. When the Foundation offered it to the Reagan Library a year ago, it became clear, she stated, that the museum had not effectively conveyed the story of the relationship between the Pope and President Reagan. This realization sparked the idea for the exhibition. Melissa stated that the RRPFI intends to continue to tell the story of this remarkable relationship, educating and inspiring future generations as well as our own.
David Trulio, the CEO of the Ronald Reagan Foundation, thanked the Friends of John Paul II for their gift. He credited Library trustee Mike Casteen for connecting the Foundation with the opportunity to receive this remarkable Saint John Paul II bust, which inspired the exhibit. Hugh Dempsey, former President of the Friends, provided the critical link between the bust and Casteen through his fortuitous encounter with Casteen in Rome, in which he broached the idea of the bust going to the Reagan Library in line with a thought first raised by fellow Friends member Tom Payne.
The Friends of John Paul II Foundation delegation received a warm welcome, including from President Michael Reagan’s son, as well as generous hospitality from the library staff and from the Friends of JPII Foundation chapter in Southern California.
Friends were joined in these celebrations by the American Council of Polish Culture Cecilia Larkin, the Consul General from LA, Paulina Kapuscinska, and by Bishop Szkredka, an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in CA.