I Was Going to Help a Homeless Guy, but made a Statue Instead

A life-size bronze statue, the "Homeless Jesus," has been placed in the Sant'Egidio courtyard of the Vatican during Holy Week.
The statue, the work of Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz, depicts Jesus stretched out on a bench, coverd with a light blanket. Copies of the same work are on display in several countries, with one at the entrance to Rome's Santo Spirito hospital.

Were Mary and Joseph homeless, too?  And when did they put park benches in Jerusalem?

 To me, this is a dumb as the shrines/remembrances that spring up whenever there is a horrible event. Flowers, Teddy Bears, signs declaring solidarity.... all done to assuage consciences and avoid having to actually DO SOMETHING.