Rome unveils revamped statue of pope
The city of Rome has inaugurated a revamped statue of Pope John Paul II after the first one was pilloried by the public and the Vatican.
Artist Oliviero Rainaldi said he is pleased with the final product, saying it matches his original vision.
He blamed foundry workers for a botched assemblage the first time around.
When the statue was first unveiled in front of Rome’s main railway station in May 2011, it was widely criticised by passers-by as looking more like Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini than the beloved Polish pope.
Even the Vatican’s own art critic wrote that it looked like a “bomb” had landed.
The revisions unveiled today focus on the Pope’s face: he is now smiling and has a neck and more defined chin. The bronze tone has also been evened out.
