Catholic University Commemorates US Papal Visit

The exhibit, "Together in Faith: The Pope Visits Catholic University," will run through Oct. 19 at various locations around campus.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Zenit) - The Catholic University of America is displaying an exhibit to commemorate Benedict XVI's April 17 visit to the campus.

The Pope visited the university as part of his seven-day, two-city tour of the United States. The exhibit, "Together in Faith: The Pope Visits Catholic University," will run through Oct. 19 at various locations around campus.

In addition to numerous photographs and narrative text, Catholic University's papal visit exhibit includes the chair in which the Pope sat during his visit to the university. It was designed by four architecture students.

The exhibit has a two inch-wide commemorative medal of the Pope's visit produced by the university and distributed to Catholic educators -- 750 were struck for the occasion.

It includes the gift presented by the Holy Father to Father David O'Connell, the university president: a museum-grade reproduction of the ancient Bodmer Papyrus VII, a facsimile of the oldest Greek manuscript of the Letters of St. Paul. Also on display is a book that describes the papyrus.

The papal zucchetto, or skullcap, which the Holy Father was wearing when he arrived at CUA is included in the display. He exchanged it for a new one offered to him by the university president.

The exhibit also includes the two inch-wide papal medal that was struck by the Vatican on the occasion of the Holy Father's visit to the United States. Limited quantities of it were presented to Father O'Connell by the Vatican delegation.

A T-shirt created for the papal visit and worn by event volunteers also forms part of the display, as does a "Benedict 16" baseball shirt produced by the Division of Student Life and Office of Campus Ministry. One thousand T-shirts were produced for students and quickly sold out. All proceeds went to support communities that CUA students visit on mission trips.