A bench in the city, a body covered by a blanket, and wounds on the feet. The new sculpture  “Homeless Jesus” by artist Timothy Schmalz was blessed today at the Pilgrim Reception Office of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, as part of the week of celebrations in honor of the Apostle Saint James. 

There, where the Camino de Santiago ends and the “Compostela” is received, pilgrims arriving in the city will be able to witness a moving and challenging installation. The work depicts Jesus wrapped in a blanket, lying on a public bench, his face hidden. The only sign of his identity are the visible wounds on his feet. 

After the blessing, the Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela, Francisco José Prieto Fernández, reflected: “Memories like this one, that of Matthew 25 or that of the bronze sculpture located in St. Peter’s Square, Angels Unaware, are profoundly timely. We especially thank the sculptor, Timothy Schmalz, and his patrons for having chosen to have this work present here, where it has been warmly welcomed in the Pilgrim’s Office. The pilgrim who arrives in Santiago has traveled a path and has a goal. But this work also reminds us of so many who travel the roads without knowing their destination or what horizon awaits them. Perhaps they have no walls to protect them or a roof to shelter them. That is why I believe it is important that we know how to value the significance of this presence. Not only from a place of faith: faced with this reality, we should all have a sensitivity and a commitment that recognizes and unites us as humanity.”

A Christ who lives on the street

Homeless Jesus is a visual representation of the passage from Matthew 25: “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. I was homeless and you gave me shelter.” For the sculptor, the sculpture invites us to “see Christ where we least expect him: on a bench, exposed to the cold.”

“Passing by without noticing others is also part of the message. How often do we ignore those who sleep in doorways, on benches, or under bridges? They are truly invisible in our society,” reflects Schmalz, who is also the author of works such as Angels Unawares and Let the Oppressed Go Free.

During the blessing, representatives of the Archdiocese of Santiago, church authorities, heads of the Pilgrim’s Office, local authorities, and numerous faithful came to contemplate this work. “This bench doesn’t just hold a sculpture; it’s an invitation to sit next to Christ. It’s a spiritual place that calls us to action, that questions our responsibility to humanity,” Schmalz shared.

A transformative experience

“After creating this work, I never looked at a homeless person the same way again. Now I see Jesus,” the sculptor confessed.  Homeless Jesus has been installed in more than 100 cities around the world—including  New York, London, Madrid, and Rome —and in each one it creates a profound impact: “It’s the magic of art, its power to crystallize the Gospel and bring it to the streets as an eternal reminder,” the artist affirms.

The chosen location, the Pilgrim’s Office, is one of the most symbolic spaces along the Camino. It welcomes thousands of walkers who, after traveling hundreds of kilometers, encounter an unexpected image: that of a humble, grieving Christ, close to the most forgotten. 

The installation of the sculpture is made possible by a donation from Diane and Tim Needles of Cleveland, Ohio, who have dedicated their lives to helping the less fortunate and spreading the good news of Jesus.

Homeless Jesus isn’t the artist’s only work on the Camino de Santiago.  Be Welcoming  is located in the town of Melide, Diocese of Lugo, Spain. The sculpture depicts a pilgrim who transforms into an angel, an outstretched hand, and a place to sit. Schmalz’s work speaks about welcome, pilgrims, and not averting our gaze from those we meet.

A work that challenges and accompanies the pilgrim

More than a static work,  Homeless Jesus  is an experience: a shared bench, a direct message, a call to the heart. Starting today, at the end of the Camino de Santiago, a new bench awaits. One where you don’t just rest: you also pray and resolve not to turn your back on your neighbor.

* * *

About the sculpture 

Name:  Homeless Jesus

Author: Timothy Schmalz

Material:  Bronze
Dimensions: 213 cm (length) x 61 cm (width) x 91 cm (height)
Location:  Pilgrim Reception Office of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela  (Rúa das Carretas, 33, 15705, Santiago de Compostela)

* * *

About the Inauguration

Date: Tuesday, July 22  Time: – 12 pm (Spain Time)

Location:  Pilgrim Reception Office of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
(Rúa das Carretas, 33, 15705, Santiago de Compostela)

Press Contact Santiago Cathedral
Jaime Mera +34 636 530 200 –  [email protected]

Press Contact: Timothy Schmalz,
Florencia Falcone, +34 644 674 798 –  [email protected]

About Timothy Schmalz
For over 25 years, Timothy Schmalz has been creating large-scale sculptures. Schmalz is a figurative artist whose pieces are installed all over the world. Some of his most recognized works rest in historic sites in Italy, Canada, the United States, and the Vatican and have been blessed by Pope Francis: Homeless Jesus, Angels Unawares, Homeless Jesus, Mary, Untier of Knots, Sheltering, and Let the Oppressed Go Free. Tim describes his work as visual translations of the Bible. While most of his sculptures are based on a spiritual theme, he also creates large and complex public bronze sculptures. Some of these include memorials honoring veterans and firefighters. Tim strives to create epic works of art that connect with viewers through design and details that not only move the viewer on an emotional level, but also allow them to feel somewhat “a part” of the work. Learn more:  https://timothypaulschmalz.com

About the Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago is an ancient pilgrimage route traveled by thousands of people each year to visit the relics of the Apostle Saint James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The Camino has been, and continues to be, the oldest, busiest, and most celebrated route in the Old Continent. Pilgrims complete the journey in a variety of ways: on foot, by bike, or on horseback. However, more than 60% of pilgrims choose to walk. In 2022, the number of pilgrims who arrived in Santiago de Compostela exceded 435,000, which not only represented a notable increase over the previous year, but also set a new record. The Camino de Santiago has many variants; not in vain, some say there are as many routes as there are pilgrims. There are more than fifty in Spain, and hundreds throughout Europe. Travel, time and distance depend primarily on the individual pilgrims. There are no fixed times or distances; it depends on how far each person can go each day. Those who walk usually cover between 15 and 20 kilometers per day. More information:  https://www.caminodesantiago.gal