Pope Francis to Present Rare Bible to Congress During U.S. Visit

Ahead of his September visit to the United States, multiple media outlets are reporting that Pope Francis is set to give a rare, historic Bible to the Library of Congress as a gift.

Francis will reportedly give a rare Bible commissioned by the Minnesota Benedictine abbey to the Library of Congress and Speaker of the House John Boehner when he visits Congress on September 24.

As The Hill reports, the Apostles Edition of the St. John's Bible is considered to be a fine art Holy Book that is handwritten and one of only 12 sets.

As The Christian Post reports, the rare Bible was presented to the pope in April by St. John's Abbey.

"It was a rare honor and privilege to be able to personally present the last volume of The Saint John's Bible to Pope Francis," St. John's President Michael Hemesath said when the Bible was presented.

"The Saint John's Bible is yet another example of the ways the monks of Saint John's impact the world far beyond Collegeville. From preserving cultures through the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library to their role in the liturgical reforms and ecumenical movement of Vatican II to envisioning the first handwritten Bible in 500 years, the monastic community at Saint John's serves the Church and the world in exceptional ways," Hemesath added.

Following the presentation of the Bible in April, the Rev. John Klassen, abbot of Saint John's Abbey, told The Washington Examiner that the pontiff "lifted his hands with a smile on his face in a gesture of joy and appreciation; it was wonderful."