John Paul Statue

I read an article this morning about the statue of former Pope/future Saint John Paul.  Apparently people think it's pretty much a flop--they fail to recognize the "artistic" messages behind what otherwise appears to be a heap of metal in the shape of--their words--"the head of a fascist."

Now put that one on a High School Graduation Test for me: "From the following shapes, please pick the one that looks the most like the head of a fascist..."  Is there a wrong answer?  I suppose the Italians would know best, having more experience with fascism than most other places, that is.

See how you do:

"I wasn't thinking about resemblance, but rather a work that was able to synthesize, in the posture of the head and body and in the draping of the cloak, the way the pope went out into the world..."

But it wasn't even the fascist head comment that really got me.  Associated Press interviewed a woman in Malaga (never heard of it--apparently a Spanish city on the coast) who said that she couldn't recognize it as being the pope. "It could be a cardinal or anyone else."  What was her suggestion to differentiate it from any old cardinal or bishop?  "I think they should have put a crucifix..."

Oh man, sister. When was the last time you went to Church?