Artist Will Alter Unpopular Statue of John Paul II; Many Church, State Leaders Sought Its Removal

The sculptor of a highly controversial image of Blessed John Paul II has agreed to modify the statue, in response to a wave of public hostility, the Catholic Culture website reports today (August 29, 2011).

Oliviero Rainaldi says that he will make some changes to the statue -- which is now on display outside Rome's busiest rail station -- but insists the changes will be "minimal."

The abstract image has drawn intense criticism, with some leaders -- both of church and state -- suggesting that it should be removed.

Adding insult to injury, many Italians have said the statue resembles Benito Mussolini -- the fascist Italian dictator who was an ally of Nazi Germany during World War II -- more than it resembles Pope John Paul II.