A Banksy-esque Italian artist, Laika, honors Francisco: "He showed compassion towards migrants while serving as Pope"
🔥🔥🔥 SASSY SUMMARY:
Street artist Laika's latest masterpiece graces the streets of Rome, depicting a deceased Pope Francis, flanked by politicians like Donald Trump, Javier Milei, Ursula von der Leyen, Matteo Salvini, and Matteo Piantedosi. This thought-provoking mural is nestled in a secluded corner with an intriguing optical effect - the Vatican dome shrinks as you approach, then expands when you back away. Laika took to social media, questioning the Church's stance on civil rights and labeling Pope Francis' funeral a "parade of hypocrisy" due to the attendees' questionable politics.
Here's the lowdown on Laika's dramatic artwork and her bold criticisms:
A Shocking Tableau of the Pope
Laika's latest creation pictures the deceased Pope Francis, sporting a halo and perusing a guest list, quizzically asking, "But who invited these?" Expect to see Donald Trump, President of the United States, Javier Milei, President of Argentina, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Matteo Salvini, Vice President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, and Matteo Piantedosi, Minister of the Interior of Italy gracing the list.
"The Church and I, Worlds Apart"
As Laika's mural looms over the city, reporters flock to the scene. Journalist Quim Esteban describes it as being in "a very remote area" with few passersby who are surprised to encounter it at a viewpoint that keeps the Vatican dome in sight. Photographers and journalists report an optical illusion - as you get closer, the Vatican appears smaller, and it grows larger when you move away.
Laika has openly criticized the Catholic Church on civil rights, stating that the Church is a distant world from her. She praises Francis for being attentive to migrants, supporting peace, and standing against rearmament. However, she contends that the funeral will showcase a "parade of hypocrisy" due to the controversial attendees' politics.
A List of Troublemakers
Laika harshly criticizes several of the politicians expected to attend the funeral, including Donald Trump for mass deportations of migrants, Javier Milei for undermining the rule of law and promoting xenophobia, Ursula von der Leyen for backing European rearmament and rejecting refugee policies, Matteo Salvini for not being welcomed by Francis during his pontificate, and Matteo Piantedosi for promoting the Cutro Decree.
A Final Farewell for the Pope?
According to her statement, Laika believes that Francis would be delighted to cross some names off his guest list if given the chance. She ambiguously hints at another mural in the works to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of Italy's dictatorial period in 1945.
Update: According to more recent reports, the Pope's funeral was held on March 19th, and Trump was indeed one of the high-profile attendees.
- The average response from reporters to Laika's mural was one of surprise, as it was discovered in a remote location with few passersby.
- Laika's depiction of Pope Francis includes controversial politicians like Donald Trump, Javier Milei, Ursula von der Leyen, Matteo Salvini, and Matteo Piantedosi, causing a stir in general-news and political discussions.
- Laika's criticism of the Catholic Church extends to civil rights issues, with a specific focus on the upcoming funeral of Pope Francis, which she describes as a "parade of hypocrisy" due to the politics of some attending politicians.
- In the future, Laika may create another mural to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of Italy's dictatorial period in 1945, highlighting her dissenting views on various political figures.
