LinkROME – 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."
Supposedly Mussolini got the trains to run on time (though I believe that's more of an urban legend than anything); is that why they put his noggin on the statue of JP2 outside of the Rome train station?