John Paul II, Bronze sculpture in Madrid, Spain.
The monument to John Paul II is a bronze statue 3.5 metres tall, pedestal excluded, placed against the façade of the Almudena Cathedral that faces Calle de Bailén in Madrid. The sculpture, by the Extremaduran sculptor Juan de Ávalos, shows the pontiff in papal dress.
The bronze statue was erected in 1998 to mark the solemn consecration of the Almudena Cathedral by John Paul II on 15 June 1993, during his fourth trip to Spain. The Almudena was the first Spanish cathedral consecrated by a pope. The sculptor was Juan de Ávalos, from Extremadura.
The sculpture shows Pope John Paul II in an open posture that expresses his willingness to meet with people. The bronze captures his face and gestures in a way that visitors can immediately recognize and understand.
The statue stands against the façade of the Almudena Cathedral, facing Calle de Bailén, in the Centro district. Visitors reach it on foot from Plaza de Oriente or the Ópera metro stop; the cathedral entrance and the Royal Palace are a short walk away.
The statue was erected in 1998, five years after John Paul II consecrated the Almudena Cathedral on 15 June 1993, during his fourth trip to Spain. The Almudena was the first Spanish cathedral consecrated by a pope. After his death in 2005, thousands of Madrid Catholics gathered at the monument to pray.
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