Statue depicting sleeping refugee spotted in Rome
STORY: The statue, installed by street artist Jago and named "Flagella Paratus Sum" - which translates from Latin as "I am ready for the scourge" - made its appearance as immigration is once again a hot topic on Italy's political arena.
The country is set to hold a snap election on Sept. 25, with polls showing a conservative alliance, which pledged a fight against illegal immigration, is heading for victory.
Some 42,500 migrants have already landed in Italy this year as of Aug. 4, compared to 30,300 throughout the whole 2021, according to data from Italy's interior ministry.
Mediterranean countries on major migrant routes into Europe expect more than 150,000 arrivals this year as food shortages caused by the Ukraine conflict threaten a new migration wave from Africa and the Middle East.
