On October 1, 2018 The Vatican State honored the founders of Pave the Way Foundation with the highest Papal Knighthood bestowed upon lay people.
H.E. Archbishop Richard Paul Gallagher, Vatican Secretary for Relations with the States and H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the United Nations, bestowed this historic honor on Gary and Meredith Krupp.
This is the first time in history that a husband and wife have been invested together to this, the highest Papal honor bestowed upon lay people.
Pave the Way Foundation began in July 2000, when Pope John Paul II bestowed upon Gary Krupp, the honor of Knight Commander into the Papal Order of St. Gregory the Great. Gary Krupp was the seventh Jewish man in history to receive this rare honor. Then, in January 2007, Pope Benedict XVI raised Mr. Krupp in rank to a Knight Commander with a Silver Star. On October 1, 2018 Pope Francis raised Gary Krupp to the Highest level of Knight of the Grand Cross of Pontifical Equestrian of St. Gregory the Great. In addition Pope Francis bestowed the honor of Dame of the Grand Cross to the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great upon Meredith Krupp. Meredith Krupp is the only Jewish women in history to receive this honor.
