Waldemar Deska / EPA

A 46-foot-high statue of Pope John Paul II was installed at the Miniature Park in Czestochowa, Poland, on Sunday. The monument, which is reputed to be the world's largest statue of the former pope, is set to be formally unveiled on April 13.  

John Paul II was beatified in a ceremony at the Vatican on May 1, 2011, bringing him a step closer to sainthood.

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Related: Much-mocked pope statue gets a makeover

Waldemar Deska / EPA

Waldemar Deska / EPA

Slideshow: A historic papacy

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View a timeline of photographs spanning the life of Pope John Paul II.

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Okuizumo Government via AFP - Getty Images, file

A replica of Michelangelo's Renaissance masterpiece sculpture David at a public park in Okuizumo, Shimane prefecture, western Japan, in a photo taken by a local official on Aug. 28, 2012.

Agence France-Presse reports — A replica of Michelangelo's Renaissance sculpture David that was erected suddenly last summer is unnerving residents of a Japanese town, with some calling for the naked masterpiece to be given underwear.

The 16 foot tall marble statue was donated by a businessman who hails from the area around Okuizumo.

"It is the first time we have had anything like this in our town. Perhaps people were perplexed," town official Yoji Morinaga said.

Related:

Much-mocked pope statue gets a makeover

Meet the best-dressed stiffs in London

Goodbye, Norma Jean: Chicago bids farewell to Marilyn statue

Gregorio Borgia / AP

This combined picture shows Italian sculptor Oliviero Rainaldi's statue of Pope John Paul II before its restoration, left, on Sept. 23, 2011, and at its inauguration after the restoration, in Rome on Nov. 19, 2012.

The Associated Press reports — The city of Rome has inaugurated a revamped statue of Pope John Paul II after the first one was pilloried by the public and the Vatican.

Pope or Mussolini? Statue sparks uproar

Artist Oliviero Rainaldi says he's pleased with the final product, saying it matches his original vision. He blamed foundry workers for a botched assemblage the first time around.

The statue was restored after Rainaldi was pilloried by the Vatican for creating a sculpture of Pope John Paul II that some mockingly said looked more like Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini than the beloved late pontiff. Even the Vatican's own art critic wrote that it looked like a "bomb" had landed. 

Gregorio Borgia / AP

A woman stops to look at the newly unveiled Pope John Paul II statue in Rome on Nov. 19, 2012.

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Mary Altaffer / AP

Visitors take in the view during a media preview of "Discovering Columbus," by Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi, on Sept. 19 in New York's Columbus Circle.

Starting today, visitors to Columbus Circle in New York City will have the opportunity to get cozy with one of the city's iconic statues inside a new contemporary living room built six stories above a bustling traffic circle.

Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi created the 810-square-foot living room atop the Columbus Monunment, so people could get an up close view of the 13-foot statue of Christopher Columbus standing amid couches, lamps and a coffee table.

"Discovering Columbus" will be open through Nov. 18, and will be free of charge, though visitors will need to reserve passes in advance through the Public Art Fund in Columbus Circle.

Mary Altaffer / AP

A 13-foot statue of Christopher Columbus stands amid the couches, lamps and coffee table of the artist installation in New York City.

Justin Lane / EPA

Traffic passes by the 'Discovering Columbus' apartment (white building) built by artist Tatzu Nishi around the Christopher Columbus statue located in Columbus Circle in New York City on Sept. 19.

Peter MacDiarmid & Martin McNeil / Getty Images, Facundo Arrizabalaga / EPA

Statues of (left to right) General Sir Charles James Napier, Sir Henry Havelock and Admiral Lord Nelson are adorned with new headgear for 'Hatwalk' in London, England on July 30, 2012.

Some of London's most iconic statues have been given a temporary makeover with bespoke headwear, Getty Images reports.

Commissioned by the Mayor of London in partnership with the British Fashion Council and the London 2012 Festival, Hatwalk brings together 21 emerging and established designers with their works featured on 20 well-known statues of figures including King George IV, Admiral Lord Nelson and Franklin D. Roosevelt.   

Martin Mcneil / Getty Images

Two of Trafalgar Square's most famous statues, depicting King George IV (foreground) and Admiral Lord Nelson (background) have been given a makeover with newly created, bespoke headwear.

Peter MacDiarmid / Getty Images

Franklin D. Roosevelt, left, and Winston Churchill's statues in Bond Street wear new hat designs by John Boyd and Herbert Johnson.

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Slideshow: London calling

From Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square to the River Thames, the venerable London exudes history.

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Jim Young / Reuters

A 26-foot tall statue of Marilyn Monroe is separated into four pieces in Chicago on May 7, 2012.

NBC Chicago reports — A 40,000-pound, 26-foot statue of Marilyn Monroe's famous pose from "The Seven-Year Itch" was dismantled Monday night in preparation for the long drive to its new home in California.

The initially controversial "Forever Marilyn" creation by Seward Johnson was unveiled last July. She now heads to Palm Springs, where the actress was discovered by a Hollywood agent. 

Video: Late, insecure and easily offended — Memories of Marilyn

It's a bittersweet moment for some who viewed Monroe's iconic, skirt-billowing pose as sexist. One website, VirtualTourist.com, ranked her the worst piece of public art in the world.

Rare photos of Marilyn Monroe six weeks before her death

VirtualTourist also questioned why a likeness of the star's famous, New York City-based stance was placed in Chicago and said the towering, blown dress forced many to peer up at Marilyn's panties.

Marilyn's 'subway' dress sets new record at auction

The statue will be installed in Palm Springs by the end of May, where it is expected to stay in place until June 2013.

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Jim Young / Reuters

Jim Young / Reuters

Jim Young / Reuters

Slideshow: Rare look at Marilyn Monroe

A collection of photographs and memorabilia from Marilyn's longtime makeup artist, Allan "Whitey" Snyder," is set for auction.

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North Koreans cheer during an unveiling ceremony for the statues of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang, North Korea, on April 13.

Pedro Ugarte / AFP - Getty Images

North Koreans attend the unveiling ceremony of two statues of former leaders Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il in Pyongyang on April 13. North Korea's new leader Kim Jong-Un on April 13 led a mass rally for his late father and grandfather following the country's failed rocket launch.

Pedro Ugarte / AFP - Getty Images

North Koreans walk on the streets after attending the unveiling ceremony of two statues of former leaders Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il in Pyongyang on April 13. North Korea's new leader Kim Jong-Un on April 13 led a mass rally for his late father and grandfather following the country's failed rocket launch.

Kyodo / Reuters

Kim Jong-un, current leader of North Korea, reacts after fireworks was released during the unveiling ceremony of bronze statues of North Korea founder Kim Il-sung and late leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang in this photo taken by Kyodo April 13, 2012. North Korea said its much hyped long-range rocket launch failed on Friday, in a very rare and embarrassing public admission of failure by the hermit state and a blow for its new young leader who faces international outrage over the attempt.

Ng Han Guan / AP

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, stands with other officials in the haze from fireworks during the unveiling ceremony for statues of late leaders Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang, North Korea, on April 13.

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Workers prepare to cover a statue of Mayawati, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh state, at Ambedkar Park in Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, on Jan. 10, 2012.

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Workers wrap elephant statues at the Ambedkar Park in Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, on Jan. 10, 2012. Statues of a firebrand Indian politician, Mayawati, and her party symbol of an elephant were wrapped in cloth, under laws to prevent them being used as unfair election publicity.

The Associated Press reports from LUCKNOW, India:

Workmen using truckloads of cloth raced Monday to comply with election officials who ordered a flamboyant Indian state leader to cover up a dozen large statues she erected of herself.

The Election Commission said the statues of Mayawati, who is a hero to India's lowest castes, were built using public money and their display violates rules for next month's election in her Uttar Pradesh state.

The Election Commission also said that nearly 200 statues of elephants, her party's symbol, must be covered. Read the full story.

Jason Reed / Reuters

Elizabeth Dole, former Secretary of Transportation under former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, holds onto a newly-unveiled statue of Reagan at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington November 1, 2011. The statue is one of several worldwide that are being unveiled in 2011 as part of the historic year-long celebration commemorating the 100th anniversary of Reagan's birthday.

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