Guam - A statue in Guam's capitol village of Hagatna will soon receive a major facelift. The sculpture in the likeness of Pope John Paul II was commissioned by Italian artist Tomas Conception. It was brought to Guam after the pope's visit to the island in 1981.

At one point the replica made full rotations but because of inclement weather and at least two typhoons the motor became inoperable. Jon Junior Calvo, assistant to Monsignor James Benavente, says the sculpture will be removed this Saturday.

"So don't be alarmed if the statue is not there," Calvo said. "It will be removed carefully along with the motor beneath it. On Saturday will be crated for air freight to Thailand where friends of the Archdiocese of Agana will be assessing the statue for repairs and refurbishment."

Calvo says the sculpture will remain off-island for several weeks to a couple of months but will be returned by May 1, just in time for the pope's beatification ceremony to be held in Rome.