Kitchener man’s sculpture of refugees unveiled by Pope

VATICAN CITY — 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.

“I wanted this artistic work here in St. Peter’s Square to remind everyone of the evangelical challenge of hospitality,” Francis said.

The work in bronze and clay by Timothy Schmalz of Kitchener depicts more than 100 migrants and refugees from different cultural and racial backgrounds and time periods.

Schmalz, who travelled to Vatican City for the unveiling, said it was amazing that the sculpture, called “Angels Unawares,” was in the square as a reminder that all are welcome.

It was inspired by a Bible passage and includes a pair of angel wings rising from among the crowd on a boat.

“The idea is spiritually centred, with the angel wings in the centre,” he said. “It brings the idea that we are sacred and we are all, in a sense, worthy of human dignity and respect.”

Schmalz said it was an important message to spread as people become more fearful of strangers and isolated by technology. “What’s happening is a disconnect toward humanity. What’s happening with this is a fear of the other, big time.”

Schmalz, who described himself as a “hardcore Christian,” said he got the commission after the Vatican learned of his sculpture depicting Jesus as a homeless person, copies of which can be found in cities around the world. One sits in front of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Hamilton.

The sculpture for St. Peter’s Square was the culmination of well over a year of “obsessive work, obsessive sculpting,” with 140 people depicted in the piece, he said.

Schmalz said that while he and Francis did not speak the same language, the Pope still gave him a message.

“He looked at me and he put his hands on his heart, and that was more than an artist could possibly hope for.”

Many migrants and refugees from conflicts throughout the world attended the mass, which closed with the unveiling of the statue. During the mass, a multi-ethnic chorus sang and the incense burned came from a refugee camp in Ethiopia.

With files from The Associated Press

ANDREW MEDICHINI THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Kitchener sculptor Timothy Schmalz stands next to ‘Angels Unawares,’ his sculpture on the theme of refugees and migration. The large bronze piece was unveiled on the occasion of Migrant and Refugee World Day in Vatican City on Sunday.