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Loyola University welcomes sculpture commissioned by Pope Francis

Cardinal Cupich was the main celebrant at a Mass on Sept. 11, 2021 at Madonna della Strada Chapel on Loyola University Chicago’s Lake Shore Campus. The Mass commemorated the arrival of Angels Unawares, a bronze sculpture by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz that depicts angel’s wings emerging from a crowd of 140 immigrants and refugees of various cultures standing on a boat, hoping for a better life. The sculpture, which is a replica of one commissioned by Pope Francis, is traveling the country before being permanently install at The Catholic University of America.
Workers install the Angels Unawares sculpture on Loyola University's Lake Shore Campus on Sept. 3, 2021. (Lukas Keapproth/Loyola University Chicago)
Workers install the 3.5-ton, 20-foot sculpture. (Lukas Keapproth/Loyola University Chicago)
Workers install the 3.5-ton, 20-foot sculpture. (Lukas Keapproth/Loyola University Chicago)
Loyola is the last stop on a country-wide tour of the statue, which belongs to The Catholic University of America. (Lukas Keapproth/Loyola University Chicago)
Workers install the 3.5-ton, 20-foot sculpture. (Lukas Keapproth/Loyola University Chicago)
Angels Unawares as seen on the campus on Sept. 11, 2021. (Cynthia Flores-Mocarski/Chicago Catholic)
Angels Unawares as seen on the campus on Sept. 11, 2021. (Cynthia Flores-Mocarski/Chicago Catholic)
Students take a closer look at the sculpture. (Cynthia Flores-Mocarski/Chicago Catholic)
Angels Unawares embodies the Catholic Church’s teachings on immigration, particularly the importance of welcoming the stranger and celebrating the many contributions of migrants and refugees to our society. (Cynthia Flores-Mocarski/Chicago Catholic)
The sculpture depicts more than 140 immigrants from across history densely packed onto a boat with the holy family. (Cynthia Flores-Mocarski/Chicago Catholic)
Cardinal Cupich was the main celebrant at a Mass on Sept. 11, 2021 at Madonna della Strada Chapel on Loyola University Chicago’s Lake Shore Campus. The Mass commemorated the arrival of Angels Unawares. (Cynthia Flores-Mocarski/Chicago Catholic)
Cardinal Cupich celebrates Mass. (Cynthia Flores-Mocarski/Chicago Catholic)
Cardinal Cupich celebrates Mass. (Cynthia Flores-Mocarski/Chicago Catholic)
Cardinal Cupich celebrates Mass. (Cynthia Flores-Mocarski/Chicago Catholic)
Cardinal Cupich celebrates Mass. (Cynthia Flores-Mocarski/Chicago Catholic)
Cardinal Cupich celebrates Mass. (Cynthia Flores-Mocarski/Chicago Catholic)
A woman prays during Mass. (Cynthia Flores-Mocarski/Chicago Catholic)

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