Artist Willing to Alter Controversial John Paul II Statue

ROME, AUG. 30, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Italian sculptor and Pontifical Culture Commission member Oliviero Rainaldi is willing to alter the 16-foot bronze statue of Blessed John Paul II that has caused such a stir since its unveiling May 18.

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According to the Ansa agency, Rainaldi has agreed to make some changes to the statue, which ZENIT’s art historian Elizabeth Lev reviewed here.

Rainaldi said the changes »will be minimal» and that the statue «is not being redone.»

The artist said the statue has been misunderstood: »I wasn’t thinking of getting a resemblance but a work that could synthesize, in the posture of the head and body and the draping of the cloak, the way the Pope went out into the world.»

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