By ELIANA SILVER

Published: 15:51 GMT, 8 January 2026 | Updated: 16:21 GMT, 8 January 2026

A 100ft statue erected in Mexico has been mocked for 'looking like something from Minecraft'.

The religious monument to Jude the Apostle is located on the Hill of the Three Crosses in the municipality of Esperanza, Puebla State, Mexico.

The creators of the statue included the saint's traditional green and white attire, saying they will add his famous wooden staff at a later date. 

While the intention behind the figure was to help boost religious tourism, the sculpture has become the subject of intense ridicule online.

People were not pleased with the shape of the saint's face, with one local saying it looked designed by Minecraft.

Another added: 'I thought it was a character from the video game Clash of Clans'.

Social media users also compared it to the famous Mexican singer Luis Antonio López and footballer Francisco Fonseca.

Work on the statue began in 2024, although the project was heavily criticised for its ecological impact and height.

The creators of the statue included the saint's traditional green and white attire

People were not pleased with the shape of the saint's face

Construction was delayed several times because of the weather

Construction was also delayed several times because of the weather. 

The statue was finally inaugurated last week at a special ceremony that highlighted its symbolism as a new icon for the town.

The council hopes the structure will attract pilgrims to the site, especially in late October when Mexico celebrates the feast day of Saint Jude Thaddeus.

This isn't the first time a religious statue has been faced with criticism for its appearance.

The restoration of an iconic 17th century statue of the Virgin Mary sparked huge protests in Seville last summer after worshippers said her makeover left her looking like she had undergone plastic surgery.

The Virgin of La Macarena is one of Spain's most famed Catholic effigies, and many Spaniards travel south every year to catch a glimpse of the wooden figure during the city's Holy Week parades.

So when the Brotherhood of the Macarena unveiled the surprise restoration in June, her devotees were outraged, with critics saying she had been disfigured.

According to her worshippers, her face was given a glossier finish, while her eyelashes were made longer, which they say altered her gaze.

Catholics in Spain were outraged following the botched restoration of a 17th century religious statue. Image shows the Virgen de la Macarena before undergoing a makeover

Image shows the Virgin after the restoration. Critics say she appears to have longer eyelashes, completely changing her facial expression