Phallic’ art sparks row ahead of Pope’s Malta visit

The mayor of a town in Malta has called for a “phallic” sculpture displayed close to the main airport to be removed ahead of the Pope’s visit this weekend.

Mayor John Schembri described the art work as “vulgar” and “embarrassing”, saying it should go “as a sign of respect” for Pope Benedict XVI. Colonna Mediterranea was created by artist Paul Vella Critien and has been on show in the town of Luqa since 2006. Mr Critien responded by calling his critics “ignorant” and “uneducated”…

Read the rest of the article on news.bbc.co.uk