Government of Pará receives cross used in the first mass celebrated in Brazil
The pilgrimage of the religious item through the Government Palace complex also highlights the state's leadership in the discussion on climate change
The Government of Pará received, on this Thursday (24), the visit of the cross used during the first mass in Brazil, on April 26, 1500. The relic came from Portugal and is on pilgrimage through Brazilian territory to celebrate the 525 years of the first Catholic celebration in the country. The capital of Pará, Belém, was the only city in the Amazon where the religious item passed before heading to Bahia.
The cross was received by the governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho, and the vice-governor, Hana Ghassan, at the Government Palace. The religious item also toured the headquarters of the State Committee of COP30, where a blessing was given in front of the clock that marks the countdown of 200 days to the climate conference that will take place in November.
During the passage of the religious object, the head of the state executive, Helder Barbalho, highlighted the diversity of beliefs and religions that exist in Pará, emphasizing the Círio de Nazaré and part of the history of the Assembly of God, which is one of the largest Pentecostal churches in the country, founded in Pará.
"Receiving the first cross of the initial celebration of Brazilian territory is certainly of extraordinary symbolism and, regarding Belém, the capital of the Círio de Nazaré, the largest Catholic procession in the world, it is something that touches us and honors us in a very special way," highlighted the governor. "This is a very important moment for the Catholic community of the State of Pará and also for the history of our country," added Helder Barbalho.
The pilgrimage of the cross is also part of the celebrations for the 200 years of diplomatic relations between Brazil and Portugal, initiated with the Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Alliance between the Empire of Brazil and the Kingdom of Portugal in 1825. The procession is made and accompanied by the Christ the Redeemer Archdiocesan Sanctuary.
"We could not leave out Belém, first for the special year it is experiencing, and second for the unique religiosity present in Brazil. The people of Pará have great faith, a broad faith, a diversified faith, a faith that undoubtedly brings an optimistic outlook regarding challenges," said Father Omar Raposo.
The religious figure also highlighted Pará's leadership in the pursuit of sustainability and the realization of COP30. "May sustainability be well understood among us. We know that this theme is not limited to ecological and environmental issues, but to a social and economic issue. May Belém be more and more!" exalted the religious figure after the passage of the cross by the office of the State Committee of COP30.
