The 40 volunteers have been building the huge structure since mid-October to raise money for blood and organ donations charities. When completed it will consist of 10 million cans and will be 316 feet long, 160 feet wide and 97 feet high with 67-foot wide dome to represent the largest church in the world. It is predominantly made from red Coca Cola cans with green windows, but no soft drink companies are sponsoring the project.
The group said they were hoping that Pope John Paul would unveil the structure at a special ceremony on December 6, although the Vatican could not confirm whether he would attend. The model will stay in place until January 31, after which it will be dismantled and the aluminum cans auctioned off.