A new statue of the Virgin Mary, believed to be the tallest in Europe, has been formally unveiled in the small Polish village of Konotopie. The 55.6-meter (182ft) concrete figure stands significantly taller than Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer monument.
The ecclesiastical sculpture was consecrated by a local bishop on Saturday, a date chosen to coincide with the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The inauguration occurs at a time when the influence of the Catholic Church on public life in Poland has seen a decline, particularly among younger urban populations.
The statue's remote location in a field was largely due to a commission by a local millionaire couple. During the consecration ceremony, two helicopters circled overhead, dropping rose petals onto the figure, which stands with open arms within a large crown.
Bishop Krzysztof Wętkowski addressed the gathered congregation, stating that the statue beckons people to "raise our gaze upwards to God and heaven," in contrast to "many contemporary people look only to the earth, focused on themselves."
Among the attendees was Lech Wałęsa, the former Polish president and leader of the movement to end communism in Poland. Wałęsa, who has previously credited his Catholic faith for playing a significant role in his anti-communist efforts, wore a Virgin Mary pin badge during his campaigning. "I started with the Virgin Mary and I end with the Virgin Mary," the 82-year-old commented.