Answer: Correct Answer: The Pietà by Michelangelo
In a historic gesture of cultural diplomacy and spiritual outreach, Pope Paul VI authorized the loan of Michelangelo’s Pietà to the Vatican Pavilion at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. This marked the first—and only—time the sculpture left Italy since its creation in the 16th century. The Pietà, depicting the Virgin Mary cradling the body of Christ, was displayed behind bulletproof glass and viewed by millions of visitors. Paul VI saw the pavilion and the sculpture as a way to share the Church’s artistic heritage and message of compassion with the modern world. The event symbolized the papacy’s growing engagement with global audiences and the blending of faith, beauty, and diplomacy. |
