Famous Brazilian Monument Becomes Catholic Holy Site

Rio de Janeiro Cardinal Eusebio Scheid conducts a ceremony in front of the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2006. (AP Photo/Andre Luiz Mello)

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) -- Rio's famous Christ the Redeemer statue, which looks down on the city from its mountaintop perch, has been raised to the status of an official Roman Catholic sanctuary.

The statue was inaugurated 75 years ago. The action was taken by Rio de Janeiro's cardinal because he thought that the statue was becoming better known as a tourist destination than a religious site.

Edited by:	Created: 10/15/2006 5:49:24 PM Updated: 10/15/2006 5:55:07 PM Suggest News Tips & Story Leads Submit Video & Pictures