This is the depiction of Jesus rising from Hell, as spoken in Sacred Scripture and in the Creed.
“ ....... He suffered, died and was buried.
He descended into Hell and on the third day
Rose again. He ascended into Heaven and is
Seated at the right hand of God, the
Father Almighty,....”
No doubt you are correct as to what it is, but most people’s first reaction is of creepiness.
The following is my opinion of the sculpture that is the background of the Pope’s hall.
Of all the ways to present the now risen Christ, who has conquered hell, death and sin, and who sits at the right hand of the Father as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, this is what is chosen?
Why even depict anything of hell at all?
Why shape the architecture of the hall to represent the serpent, man’s age-old enemy from the Garden of Eden?
To me, it could be a depiction of Satan in charge of Hell and the demons, being lifted up.
After all, that is what Satan wanted—to be like God and to be worshipped as God.
The duality of the sculpture is its downfall. But it was meant to have a dual meaning.
To the faithful, they say, “Oh, it is Christ rising from Hell”.
To the initiated they say “See? Here is where the real power is—the Dark Side!”
Funny thing also—God expressly forbade His people to have any graven image, but here is one front and center.
Il Papa should know better.