The Center will be closed to the public on

Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4 for Independence Day Celebrations

Fr. Augustine DiNioa, O.P. - July 11, 2009

The Pope John Paul II Cultural Center will be closed to the public on Saturday, July 11, 2009. That day, Father Augustine DiNioa, O.P. will be ordained an Archbishop. Father Gus served The Pope John Paul II Cultural Center as the first Director of our Intercultural Forum. The Pope John Paul II Cultural Center is proud to serve as the venue for activities surrounding the Mass of Ordination being celebrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at 2:00 pm on that day.

Divine Mercy Mass - July 26, 2009

In honor of Divine Mercy, a Mass is celebrated at the Cultural Center the last Sunday of the month at 3:00 PM. "The Message of Divine Mercy has always been near and dear to me… which I took with me to the See of Peter and which it in a sense forms the image of this Pontificate." - Pope John Paul II

Africa through the eyes and heart of John Paul II

During his papacy, Pope John Paul II made sixteen visits to Africa, visiting forty-two nations of that continent.  His visits drew large crowds, and in return for his blessing, his love and his concern for the people of Africa, John Paul II received many gifts reflecting the varied beauty of the arts and cultures of the African nations.  These gifts are now part of a special exhibit at the Cultural Center. Among the gifts displayed, visitors can see a magnificent elephant tusk from Cameroon, and a beautiful cape, made of black and white fur and lined in yellow silk, with an accompanying miter decorated with cowry shells, a symbol of high status in Africa.

Papal and Polish Heritage Room

The Pope John Paul II Cultural Center reopened its Papal and Polish Heritage Room to the public.  Never before seen photographs, video footage, artwork, and personal memorabilia from Pope John Paul’s childhood through his Papacy tells the story of the first Polish Pope and one the World’s greatest spiritual leaders.

Our Lady of America

The Pope John Paul II Cultural Center welcomes pilgrimage groups to visit the Center and venerate this statue of Our Lady of America. Initially gracing the rotunda entrance of the Center, Our Lady of America has been moved to a new venue where pilgrims will have the opportunity to not only see the statute but also partake in quiet, reflective, and meditative moments. 

Holy Land Arab Christians: Faith and Cultural Exhibit

Arab Christians represent some of Christianity’s oldest faith traditions as descendants of the first people to be called “Christian”. These brothers and sisters in faith have been spiritual monuments to Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry since the time of the first Pentecost (Acts 2:11). They are the ‘living stones’ in the land of the incarnation.

First ICF Director named Archbishop
Pope Benedict XVI has named U.S. Dominican Father J. Augustine DiNoia an archbishop and secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments. Archbishop-designate DiNoia, 65, has served as undersecretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith since 2002. Pope John Paul II had named him to the Vatican position and for his first three years at the doctrinal congregation, his superior was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, elected pope in 2005.

"I am happy the pope has entrusted to me an area that he considers so important," the archbishop-designate said June 16, shortly after the Vatican announced his new assignment.

Monsignor William Kerr, 68, dies following stroke

Former Executive Director of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center and a highly regarded man with countless friends around the world, died Wednesday May 13, 2009  at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (TMH).  Msgr. Kerr, 68, suffered a stroke while celebrating Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More on May 3.  He was rushed to TMH, but his condition never improved.
In the days just before his death, the Rwandan ambassador to the United States came from Washington to visit with Kerr as a show of concern on the part of Rwandan President Paul Kagame.  Kerr was responsible for Kagame's visit to Tallahassee in February 2008. The Monsignor’s funeral was held May 19, 10:00 am, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee.  A memorial service was simultaneously held at The Cultural Center for staff and local DC residents.

New Springtime for Women

On Saturday, April 25, the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center co-hosted an event entitled "New Springtime for Women," with ENDOW (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women) and The Papal Foundation. ENDOW is a Catholic educational program based on Pope John Paul II's "Letter to Women" that brings women together to discover their God-given dignity and to understand their role in humanizing and transforming society.

Pope John Paul II as the #1 pick as hero

The nearly 27-year papacy of John Paul II was a milestone in world history. He was greatly beloved by millions, hailed for some of his stands even beyond the membership of his own church and was criticized for other stands, surely a sign of his engagement with many of the difficult and contentious issues of the contemporary world.

The WorldOver with Raymond Arroyo

Each week EWTN News Director, Raymond Arroyo, brings you all that is seen and unseen around the world. Exclusive interviews, investigative reports, live coverage of special events and cultural news await you every week. LIVE from the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center every Friday at 8:00 PM. For tickets to the show, email worldoverdc@yahoo.com.