Artist Domingo Zapata returned to the Vatican along with his friend, Mr. Brainwash to join Pope Francis in painting a canvas Zapata had started with the word “immigrant.”
It was announced during their creative session that Zapata had been named an ambassador for the Pontifical Scholas Occurrentes Foundation, an organization founded by His Holiness that raises awareness of the importance of art in education.
This is the second time Zapata has painted with Pope Francis, the first time being in May 2018. The work they created then was sold at auction for half a million dollars. This new immigration-themed piece will also be sold at an auction to benefit the foundation at a date that is yet to be determined.
Of the chosen theme, Zapata noted, “I’m a citizen of the world and a constant immigrant, and I come from a humble background. The subject of immigration, therefore, is important to me, especially in an age where people want to build walls between countries. I disagree with this thinking. I want to raise the issue and make a point out of it.”