Sarajevo residents welcome statue of the Pope

A statue of Pope John Paul II was erected this morning in front of the Sarajevo Cathedral, and will be unveiled today at 1 PM, writes the BiH news agency Patria.

The statue is about three meters high and made of silumin, a silver-colored material. The design is by young academic sculptor Hrvoje Urumović, born in Sarajevo and residing in Zagreb.

Sarajevo residents, whom NAP journalists asked this morning if they welcomed the erection of the statue of John Paul II in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, say that the Pope promoted love and peace in BiH with his speeches and public appearances.

Munib Rešidbegović (61), who lives just a few hundred meters from the Sarajevo Cathedral, told NAP that he supports the erection of the statue in front of this Sarajevo symbol.

- Why not. All people who have promoted good should be shown respect in some way – said Rešidbegović.

Mušanović: The Pope wanted peace

Asif Mušanović (64) also said he is happy that the capital city is receptive to people who promoted love and peace, especially those who wished well for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- I listened to John Paul II's speeches. Based on what he said, I concluded that he wished well for the world, including Bosnia and Herzegovina. There are few such people, and it is very important to remind younger generations of them, so that they seek role models in such people, not in those who sow hatred – said Mušanović.

Interestingly, tourists from Croatia visiting Sarajevo these days do not look with enthusiasm at the statue of the Pope in Sarajevo.

Anđelka from Šibenik and her colleague Ante from Sinj, say that religious leaders should not receive their statues in central city locations.

- Each of us may believe in our God, but faith is our intimate matter. Why should someone else admire that, says Anđelka, writes Patria.

Anđelka and Ante: Not enthusiastic

Pope John Paul II visited BiH twice – Sarajevo on April 12 and 13, 1997, and Banja Luka on June 22, 2003.