In 2017, Geoffrey C. Smith’s bronze sculpture Rising Above Lotus was presented to Pope Francis as an official diplomatic gift from the President of the United States. This extraordinary honor reflects the universal message of the work—a celebration of peace, unity, and the triumph of the human spirit.

 

The sculpture depicts a lotus blossom rising through water, a symbol of purity and strength emerging from challenging circumstances. Today, this piece is part of the Vatican’s permanent art collection, joining a legacy of cultural and artistic treasures shared between nations.

“I first came across the lotus while taking my children out on a boat in the Everglades,” remembers Geoffrey. "Even with all the magnificent wildlife in the River of Grass to draw your eye, the lotus is impossible to miss - it's absolutely mesmerizing."