DAVENPORT, Iowa — A photographic exploration of the papal visits to Israel from 1964-2014 will be on display at St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, beginning Thursday, January 5, 2018.
The exhibition is entitled “Building Bridges of Faith: Photographs of Papal Visits to the Holy Land, 1964-2014” and features papal visits to nearly a dozen Holy Land sites, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is recognized as the site of the crucifixion and tomb of Jesus of Nazareth; Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust; the Cenacle on Mt. Zion, traditionally held to be the site of the Last Supper; and the Western Wall.
The 44 historic images depict stirring scenes as well as quiet, intimate moments during visits to the Holy Land by some of the most well-traveled popes in history: Blessed Pope Paul VI, Pope Saint John Paul II, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.
The exhibition is designed to illustrate the importance of interreligious dialogue, especially in this case between Catholics and Jews. It represents a response to the Pope’s calling to “reflect deeply on the significance of the Jewish roots of our own faith” and to seek “mutual understanding of our spiritual heritage” (from the Address of Pope Francis on May 26, 2014, in Jerusalem).
The exhibit has been made possible by the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest. Other sponsors include the Diocese of Davenport, St. Ambrose University, St Ambrose University’s Middle East Institute, the Muslim Community of the Quad Cities, and the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities.
“I am deeply grateful to the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities for co-sponsoring this exhibition of the historic visits of our recent Popes to the Holy Land,” said the Most Rev. Tom Zinkula, Bishop of the Diocese of Davenport. “I am looking forward to seeing the exhibition and encourage Catholics to join our Jewish brothers and sisters in visiting the exhibit.”
Added Sister Joan Lescinski, CSJ, PhD, president of St. Ambrose: "Jerusalem is an important holy site for many believers, including Jews, Christians, and Muslims. We are pleased to be able to partner with other sponsors to offer this exhibit to the community."
The exhibits will be showcased at the Galvin Fine Arts Center and the Library on the St. Ambrose campus from Jan. 5 through Feb. 21. Starting Feb. 22, the entire exhibit will be displayed at the Library through May 11.
Exhibit viewing hours are as follows:
Jan 5 - Jan 16 (holiday break at SAU): Galvin: Monday-Friday, 10am - 4pm Library 2nd Floor: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, Saturday 10am-2pm, Sunday 1pm-5pm
Jan 17 - May 11 Spring Semester: Galvin (until Feb 21): Monday-Friday, 9pm-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm Library 2nd Floor: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, Saturday 10-5, Sunday 12pm-5pm
NOTE: There will be a celebratory opening of the exhibit Sunday, January 21, 2018, at the Galvin Fine Arts Center, from 2:00-4:00 pm, with a short program at 2:30 pm. THIS IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and THE MEDIA.
For additional information media should contact: Chris Reno, University Curator and Gallery Director, St. Ambrose University, renochristopherw@sau.edu, (563) 333-6444 or Allan Ross, Executive Director, Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, aross@jfqc.org, (309) 793-1300
