Rome: remodeled statue of John Paul II is unveiled

November 19, 2012

A controversial statue of Blessed John Paul II was unveiled in Rome on November 19, after the sculptor altered it in reaction to public outrage.

The sculpture by Oliviero Rainaldi, which had shown an abstract visage of the late Pontiff that drew angry reactions from the public in Rome, was changed after recommendations from a panel of artists, to conform to the sketches that had originally approved for Rainaldi’s project. The sculptor claimed that he had made only “small corrections.”

While few critics were satisfied with the changes, the remodeled statute drew less emotional reactions.

 

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Further information:

• Revised statue of Pope John Paul II unveiled in Rome (AP)
• Controversial statue of Bl. John Paul II is remodeled in Rome (CWN, 9/19)