A new life-size statue of a Catholic saint is gracing a downtown park after a vandalized statue of Christopher Columbus was removed back in 2020. The six-foot bronze statue of St Francis Di Paola was installed Saturday in the Piazza Italia Park. The installation was also followed by a celebration of Mass at San Francesco Di Paola Church

According to the news release, the statue was sculpted in Italy and was transported to San Antonio to be placed in the Piazza Italia. The statue was financed by a local Italian businessman, Sam Greco. He also financed the statue in Padua, Italy.