In the heart of Vatican City, history, faith, and creativity are coming together this summer in a meaningful new way.
The Vatican Museums have just opened a special exhibition titled “Paul VI and Jacques Maritain: The Renewal of Sacred Art Between France and Italy (1945–1973)”, celebrating the deep friendship between one of the 20th century’s most influential philosophers and a pope who helped reshape the Catholic Church.
But this isn’t just another exhibition — it’s a journey into a unique dialogue between spiritual vision and artistic renewal.
Honoring a Thinker Who Bridged Faith and Culture
Jacques Maritain might not be a household name to everyone, but in the world of philosophy, theology, and sacred art, his influence runs deep.
Born in 1882, Maritain was a leading voice of neo-Thomist philosophy — essentially a modern revival of the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas.
He played a major role in shaping Catholic thought during the 20th century, especially with his idea of “integral humanism” — a concept where human dignity, artistic expression, and religious faith all co-exist in harmony.
A Friendship That Shaped Sacred Art
The exhibition explores the bond between Maritain and Giovanni Battista Montini — the man who would later become Pope Paul VI.
Their friendship, which began in Paris back in 1924, grew stronger when Maritain was appointed French ambassador to the Holy See in 1945 and moved to Rome.
Their connection wasn’t just personal — it was deeply intellectual and spiritual.
And it helped drive many of the ideas that emerged during the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965).
Paul VI, who concluded the council, shared Maritain’s vision of bridging the gap between the Church and modern culture — especially in art.
Celebrating Major Anniversaries Through Art
This year marks several meaningful milestones:
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80 years since Maritain became ambassador to the Holy See
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60 years since the Second Vatican Council came to a close
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And 50 years since the launch of the Modern Religious Art Collection in the Vatican Museums, a project initiated by Paul VI himself.
It’s no surprise then that the museum’s director, Barbara Jatta, sees this exhibition as more than a commemoration — she calls it a treasure trove of inspiration.
A Spiritual Network of Artists and Thinkers
The exhibit isn’t just about Maritain and Paul VI.
It also shines a light on the vibrant cultural circle that surrounded the philosopher and his wife Raïssa, who converted to Catholicism with him in 1906.
The couple welcomed poets, painters, and religious thinkers into their lives — including names like Charles Péguy, Georges Rouault, Jean Cocteau, and Paul Claudel.
Some of these artists are now featured in the exhibition, showcasing how their creativity was shaped by a shared spiritual quest.
Maritain saw art not only as aesthetic but as something deeply rooted in truth and human dignity.
Paul VI’s Vision for Healing the Divide
One key moment the exhibition highlights is Paul VI’s famous address to artists in the Sistine Chapel on May 7, 1964.
In that speech, he urged for a renewed bond between the Church and contemporary artists — a “reconciliation” after years of misunderstanding.
This vision became reality in 1973, with the formal opening of the Modern Religious Art Collection inside the Vatican Museums.
A Collection That Spans Borders and Styles
Visitors to the exhibit will find an impressive lineup of artworks — from Henri Matisse’s Vence Chapel pieces to works by William Congdon, an American artist with a mystical edge.
There are also stunning contributions from Maurice Denis, Émile Bernard, and Gino Severini, as well as powerful visual stories by Marc Chagall, who had a close friendship with Raïssa Maritain.
Also featured is the progressive Dominican priest Marie-Alain Couturier, known for pushing boundaries in sacred art — a counterbalance to Maritain’s more philosophical approach, and a reflection of Paul VI’s openness to different schools of thought.
An International Effort Rooted in the Jubilee Spirit
The exhibition, part of the 2025 Jubilee celebrations, is curated by Micol Forti, who leads the Vatican Museums’ contemporary art division.
It’s located right in the heart of the museums — between the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel — and is the result of a collaboration between several cultural institutions, including the French Embassy to the Holy See, the French Institute-St. Louis Center, and the Strasbourg National and University Library.
A Legacy of Faith, Friendship, and Creative Renewal
At its core, this exhibit isn’t just a historical retrospective.
It’s a tribute to the power of friendship, shared ideals, and the transformative force of art when rooted in faith and humanism.
It shows how one philosopher and one pope helped lay the foundation for a renewed relationship between the sacred and the modern world — a legacy that still resonates across borders and generations.