In Brittany, a giant statue of Pope John Paul II has been unveiled.

Paris - In the Breton town of Ploërmel, a giant statue of the late Pope John Paul II was unveiled today, despite opposition from part of the public. The creator of the statue is the well-known Russian artist Zurab Cereteli, who donated it to the town, which has a square named after him.
    The statue, over four meters tall, is framed by an arch with a cross that rises to a height of eight meters. The town's mayor, Paul Ancelin, stated at the ceremony that the statue is tailored for the "giant of history" that John Paul II was, in his opinion. On the pedestal of the statue is engraved the famous call "Do not be afraid," which the Polish pope used to commence his papacy and which was often referenced by fighters against communism.
    The intention to erect the statue in the town provoked opposition from some residents, who were displeased that public funds in a state that prides itself on its secular character would be spent on a memorial to a religious figure. Although the artist donated the statue to the town, the costs of its installation were borne by the city. Opponents only achieved the result that the ceremony was postponed by one day. Saturday marked the anniversary of the adoption of the law separating church from state in 1905, and opponents viewed the unveiling of the statue on this day as a provocation.
    The ceremony proceeded peacefully. Dissenters limited themselves to a small group of them in clown costumes, who from a respectful distance shouted slogans about "polonium for the people," alluding to the connections between religion, Poland, and Russia.
    The sculptor of Georgian descent, Cereteli, is the president of the Russian Academy of Arts. His giant sculptures are scattered across many countries around the world.