In 2010, the Nationalist Party’s media ran an April Fool’s joke story claiming the “phallic” work of art would be removed due to the Pope’s visit to Malta.

Just two weeks later, the joke became a reality when the Luqa local council called for the removal of the sculpture for the very same reason, saying it was “vulgar” and “embarrassing”.

The story was picked up by overseas media, and the phallus-like monument made its debut on the BBC website.

In June 2010, the sculpture was featured in a Vodafone advertising campaign alongside DJ Gianni Zammit and the slogan, Proud Of My Country.

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