Italian migrants have raised over $100,000 for a new statue of Pope John Paul II at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney. The Catholic Weekly reports the statue, by Italian sculptor Firenzo Bacci, took more than three hours to be positioned by crane on the Hyde Park side of the cathedral.
The statue, donated by the Italian community to the Sydney archdiocese, was commissioned last October and arrived in Sydney in January.
Monsignor Dino Fragiacomo, priest in residence at Joan of Arc parish, Haberfield, says the Italian community wanted to donate a "beautiful and lasting reminder" of the much loved Pope.
"Pope John Paul II meant so much to the youth and people all over the world," he said.
"The statue was donated to remember him and the renewal of consecration to Our Lady.
"The statue is beautiful, mystical in its own way and I'm sure will be admired by those who come to the cathedral."
He paid tribute to the tireless work of a group of Sydney Italian migrants, who raised the money through a series of fundraising concerts.
"Through their wonderful efforts a beautiful work of art of such a holy man has been born," he said.
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