To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Saint John Paul II National Shrine has debuted a new temporary exhibit entitled “A New Birth of Freedom,” which highlights Saint John Paul II’s reflections on the Christian principles that guided the birth of this country and her founding documents.
The exhibit includes photos, artifacts and memorabilia from the Pope’s visits to the US, including his pre-papal trip to Philadelphia. The materials include items from the Shrine’s collection and digital loans sent by dioceses, museums, and universities from across the country.
“From his own personal experience in Poland, Pope John Paul II knew just how precious freedom is and how fragile it can be. As the United States celebrates 250 years of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Saint John Paul II National Shrine invites everyone to come and rediscover John Paul II's own profound reflections on the freedoms we hold so dear. These reflections are as insightful and relevant today as when they were first made during his visits to the US and during his meetings with American leaders,” said Stephen White, executive director of the Saint John Paul II National Shrine.
In his seven papal visits, John Paul II praised the United States heritage of freedom enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. He challenged Americans to use freedom to serve the highest human and spiritual values and reminded us that ordered freedom needs to be passed from generation to generation.
The exhibit celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence through the teachings of Saint John Paul II. Pilgrims will see Pope John Paul II visiting this country and meeting with leaders, will read his words and hear his voice, and will see some of the objects that accompanied his pilgrimages to this country.
Most importantly, they will hear Pope John Paul II recall the high ideals embodied in the U.S. Founding Documents and exhort Americans to undertake—borrowing Abraham Lincoln’s famous phrase—a “new birth of freedom” in the values those documents enshrine for this country.
The Saint John Paul II National Shrine is located at 3900 Harewood Road, N.E. in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.jp2shrine.org
