Last week, Rio de Janeiro’s 125-foot Christ the Redeemer was illuminated with the image of a Taylor Swift T-shirt bearing a message welcoming the singer to the country for the latest leg of her Eras Tour. The rector of the sanctuary agreed to the Swifties’ request on the condition that they raise funds to buy Read more
Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer has been lit in pink to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. The 38-metre Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro is one of the country’s most famous landmarks. It has been used for many promotional events in the past, including campaigns by climate activists. Cancer patients Read more
A Brazilian cardinal has escaped injury during a carjacking in Rio de Janeiro by several gunmen. Police say Cardinal Orani Joao Tempesta was travelling in a chauffeur-driven vehicle with two friends when the attack occurred on Sunday. The thieves made off with the vehicle. Brazilian media say the cardinal was returning from Mass when the Read more
More than 500,000 young people gathered on Rio de Janeiro’s famed Copacabana beach were urged to be “agents for a new world” in the opening ceremony of the 28th World Youth Day. In his homily on the WYD theme, “Go and make disciples of all nations”, local Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta invited the young people Read more
The president of the Brazilian bishops’ conference, Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno Assis, has confirmed that Pope Francis will attend World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro in July. Some four million young people from around the world are expected to attend the event, from July 23 to 28. The theme for the gathering will be Jesus’ Read more
The world’s tallest statue of the Virgin Mary has been unveiled in the city of Oruro, Bolivia. Standing 45 metres high, the tallest Marian statue is on a 3650-metre mountain south of La Paz, the country’s second largest city. Dedicated to Our Lady of Socavon, it stands nearly 7 metres taller than the Christ the Read more
Registrations for World Youth Day in 2013 — in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 23 to 28 — have opened for prebookings through the official WYD website. The theme for the 28th WYD is “Go and make disciples of all nations”. Discounted prices from $NZ60 to $NZ350 will be available until January 31, 2013. Read more
