{"id":232915,"date":"2019-09-29T20:49:39","date_gmt":"2019-09-30T00:49:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=232915"},"modified":"2019-09-29T20:50:54","modified_gmt":"2019-09-30T00:50:54","slug":"canadian-mans-sculpture-of-refugees-unveiled-by-pope-francis-in-vatican-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2019\/09\/29\/canadian-mans-sculpture-of-refugees-unveiled-by-pope-francis-in-vatican-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Canadian man’s sculpture of refugees unveiled by Pope Francis in Vatican City"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cI wanted this artistic work here in St. Peter’s Square to remind everyone of the evangelical challenge of hospitality,\u201d Francis said. (File Photo<\/a>: Pope Francis\/Facebook<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

VATICAN CITY \u2014 A Canadian artist’s sculpture has been unveiled in St. Peter’s Square by Pope Francis as part of a Mass for the World Day for Migrants and Refugees.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted this artistic work here in St. Peter’s Square to remind everyone of the evangelical challenge of hospitality,\u201d Francis said.<\/p>\n

The work in bronze and clay by Timothy Schmalz of Kitchener, Ont., depicts more than 100 migrants and refugees from different cultural and racial backgrounds and time periods.<\/p>\n

Schmalz, who travelled to the Vatican City for the unveiling, said it was amazing that the sculpture, called \u201cAngels Unawares,\u201d was in the square as a visual reminder that everyone is welcome.<\/p>\n

It was inspired by a Bible passage and includes a pair of angel wings rising from among the crowd on a boat.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe idea is spiritually centred, with the angel wings in the centre,\u201d he said. \u201cIt brings the idea that we are sacred and we are all, in a sense, worthy of human dignity and respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

Schmalz said it was an important message to spread as people become more fearful of strangers and isolated by technology.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat’s happening is a disconnect towards humanity. What’s happening with this is a fear of the other, big time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Schmalz, who described himself as a \u201chard core Christian,\u201d said he got the commission after the Vatican learned of his sculpture depicting Jesus as a homeless person, copies of which are now touring in major cities around the world.<\/p>\n

The sculpture for St. Peter’s Square was the culmination of well over a year of \u201cobsessive work, obsessive sculpting,\u201d with 140 people depicted in the piece, he said.<\/p>\n

Schmalz said that while he and Francis did not speak the same language, the pope still gave him a message.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe looked at me and he put his hands on his heart, and that was more than an artist could possibly hope for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many migrants and refugees from conflicts throughout the world attended the mass, which closed with the unveiling of the statue. During the mass, a multiethnic chorus sang and the incense burned came from a refugee camp in southern Ethiopia.<\/p>\n

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 29, 2019.<\/p>\n

\u2014 with files from The Associated Press.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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