Rome: A new, modernist sculpture of Pope John Paul II is turning into a monumental bust. The Vatican on Friday slammed the giant artwork outside Rome's Termini Train Station, saying it doesn't even resemble the late pontiff.
Some Romans and tourists say the bronze statue looks more like Italy's wartime dictator Benito Mussolini than the widely beloved pope.
"How could they have given such a kind pope the head of a Fascist?" said 71-year-old Antonio Lamonica.
As he pondered the statue in the bustling square, his wife muttered: "It's ugly. Really ugly. Very ugly."...
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09:09 AM, May 21, 2011
Vatican City: The late Pope John Paul moved a major step closer to Roman Catholic sainthood on Sunday at a joyous ceremony that drew the largest crowd to Rome since his funeral six years ago. "From now on Pope John Paul shall be called 'blessed'", Pope Benedict solemnly proclaimed in Latin, establishing that his predecessor's feast day would be on October 22, the day of the inauguration of John Paul's...
03:10 PM, May 01, 2011
Vatican City: Tens of thousands of people from around the world descended on Rome on Saturday for the beatification of Pope John Paul II, six years after his death. "It's almost as if he is here," said Enzo Arzellino, who travelled all night on a bus from southern Italy with his parish group to attend the beatification on Sunday. On Saturday, groups of pilgrims, many from the pope's native Poland,...
08:01 PM, Apr 30, 2011
Vatican City: Pope John Paul's coffin was exhumed on Friday ahead of his beatification as tens of thousands of people began arriving in Rome for one of the biggest events since his funeral in 2005. The Vatican said the coffin was removed from the crypts below St Peter's Basilica while top Vatican officials and some of the late pope's closest aides looked on and prayed. Those present at the ceremony...
06:52 PM, Apr 29, 2011
Vatican City: Former Pope John Paul II will move a step closer to sainthood this week when his successor Pope Benedict approves the case for his beatification, Vatican sources said Wednesday. In "a few days" the Vatican's Prefect for the Causes of Saints, Cardinal Angelo Amato, is expected present Benedict with the evidence that John Paul performed a miracle and should be beatified, one source said. At that point Benedict...
08:57 AM, Jan 13, 2011
Kolkata: Mother Teresa is revered in India and the around the world but her sainthood has yet to be declared. Mother House in Kolkata is abuzz with preparations for the birth centenary celebrations of the one many called the Messiah of the poor and needy. But even as Mother Teresa turns 100, the wait for her sainthood still looks a little distant. In October 2003, Mother was beatified by Pope...
07:36 PM, Aug 26, 2010
Mehmet Ali Agca's motives for shooting the pope in 1981 remain a mystery. ...
08:54 PM, Jan 18, 2010
London: The British press on Friday hailed late former cricket captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi not only as one of India's most successful Test captains but also a leading batsmen, who managed to averaged 34 in Tests despite having lost his right eye in a car accident. "The death of Pataudi has robbed cricket of one of its most popular and distinguished characters. Not only was Pataudi an inspirational captain...
11:44 AM, Mar 03, 2008
