Rome, Italy, Jul 2, 2009 / 11:15 am
Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow, Poland, who was Pope John Paul II’s personal secretary for more than 40 years, unveiled an impressive 15 foot statue of the late pontiff at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
“Be Not Afraid” is the title of the statue made by Stefano Pierotti, who used marble to make the 47-ton sculpture.
Pope John Paul II spent 153 days at Gemelli Hospital recovering from the assassination attempt on his life in 1981.
During the ceremony, Cardinal Dziwisz recalled that “from this place, (Pope John Paul II) taught the entire Church how to live and how to die with the Lord. The Gemelli Hospital was a unique ‘chair’ for him. For this reason, the name of this hospital will remain inseparable from the memory of this Pope.”
“From the window of the tenth floor,” he recalled, the Pope “blessed the sorrowful multitudes, and now from the center of this small square, where his likeness has been raised with exquisite sensibility, he will continue watching over this place and blessing all those who arrive here, as well as those who serve man in his suffering.”
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Click hereOur mission is the truth. Join us!
Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.
Donate to CNA