Valencia Cathedral to host blessing of Pope John Paul II statue

The Cathedral of Valencia will host the inauguration and blessing of a bronze statue of Pope John Paul II on November 7, 2026. The ceremony, led by Archbishop Enrique Benavent, is scheduled for 10:30 AM in the Calle del Micalet area, specifically within a recently remodeled archaeological garden adjacent to the cathedral.

The statue, created by Sevillian sculptor Juan Manuel Miñarro, was commissioned by the Juan Pablo II Memorial Association. The project was funded through a public subscription involving many local citizens and faithful to honor the late Pope’s connection to the diocese. The installation follows a 15-year initiative to preserve the memory of his 1982 visit to Valencia.

The new location for the monument is situated in a redesigned outdoor space that features historical elements, including wall remains and components dating from the 13th to the 18th centuries.