A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM: SAINT JOHN PAUL II AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Saint John Paul II National Shrine celebrates the 250^th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with this new temporary exhibit that highlights Saint John Paul II’s reflections on the principles, inscribed in the founding documents, which gave birth to a new nation: The United States of America. The exhibit includes photos, artifacts and memorabilia from his seven visits to the United States, including his pre-papal trip to multiple cities including Philadelphia in 1979. The materials include items from the Shrine’s museum collection and digital loans sent by dioceses, museums, and universities from across the country.

Pilgrims will learn about Pope John Paul II visits to our country, will read his words and hear his voice, and see some of the artifacts that were part of his pilgrimages to various cities throughout the United States. Most importantly, pilgrims will hear Saint John Paul II recall the high ideals embodied in our Founding Documents that exhort all Americans to undertake—borrowing Abraham Lincoln’s famous phrase—a “new birth of freedom” in the values those documents enshrine for our country. As we celebrate the 250^th Anniversary of the Birth of Our Nation this fourth of July, the Shrine invites all pilgrims to the Shrine in the heart of the Nation's Capital to rediscover and newly appreciate the gift of our Founding from the perspective of Saint John Paul II, who admired and professed the beauty of America to all through his words “America the beautiful! ...Yes, America you are beautiful indeed, and blessed in so many ways, ....Yes, America, all this belongs to you. But your greatest beauty and your richest blessing is found in the human person...your greatest beauty, your richest blessing, is found in the human person especially the weakest….and the most defenseless ones. If you want equal justice for all, and true freedom and lasting peace, then, America, defend life!”- Farewell ceremony from the United States of America (September 19, 1987).

This exhibition was curated by the Saint John Paul II National Shrine under the leadership of Grattan Brown, STD, Director of Mission and Ministry, and Sofía Maurette, PhD, Director of Intercultural Ministry, with curatorial contributions by Bethany Bromwell, Collections Curator, and Victoria Gallegos, Curatorial Assistant. Designed by Sarah Davis, Senior Marketing and Communications Associate. This project was made possible through the generous loans of works from the following institutions:

The Archdiocese of Denver Archdiocese of Miami, Favalora Archive & Museum and St. Thomas University, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Archdiocese of Chicago, Xavier University of Louisiana, Archdiocese of Saint Louis, and The Catholic University of America.

Pope John Paul II stands with his arm raised and beside a crowd of people and the US capitol building in the distance.

A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM: SAINT JOHN PAUL II AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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