Politics · Brazil · 1 hr ago
Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro attend Masses honoring Brazil’s patron saint
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro attended separate Masses honoring Our Lady of Aparecida on October 12, a national holiday in Brazil.
The Catholic figure is the country’s patron saint, and the holiday has become a focus of this year’s election campaign.
Flávio, an evangelical Christian, had said that if elected he would make one of his first acts a declaration that Brazil belongs to Jesus Christ.
That statement was followed by false claims that he planned to remove Our Lady of Aparecida as patron saint, which he denied.
A proposal to remove her title was introduced in 2007 and archived the following year.
Lula said his Mass was a way to show respect for different religions, while Flávio said he respected the faith of millions of Brazilians.
Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin also attended a Mass at the Basilica of Aparecida.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro attended separate Masses honoring Nossa Senhora Aparecida on 12 October, Brazil’s holiday for its patron saint.
Lula attended a Mass at the chapel of the official Alvorada residence, while Flávio went to a Mass at Brasília Cathedral.
The appearances came amid an election-year controversy over Flávio’s promise to declare Brazil “the Lord Jesus Christ’s” and false claims that he planned to remove Nossa Senhora Aparecida as patron saint.
Flávio denied that such a project existed, while Lula said the Mass at Alvorada honored the saint amid offenses by some religious figures.
Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin also attended a solemn Mass at the Basilica of Aparecida in São Paulo state.
- Who
- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro attended Masses; Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin also attended a Mass.
- What
- They took part in events honoring Nossa Senhora Aparecida, Brazil’s patron saint.
- When
- Monday, 12 October. The article was published on 13 October 2026.
- Where
- Lula attended Mass at the chapel of the Alvorada residence; Flávio attended Mass at Brasília Cathedral. Alckmin attended Mass at the Basilica of Aparecida in São Paulo state.
- Why
- The Masses honored Nossa Senhora Aparecida on her holiday. The appearances also came amid an election-year controversy involving the saint.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Then-deputy Victorio Galli presented a bill to remove Nossa Senhora Aparecida’s title as patron saint of Brazil.
The bill was archived.
Flávio Bolsonaro promised that, if elected, one of his first acts would be to declare Brazil “the Lord Jesus Christ’s”; false claims circulated that he planned to remove Nossa Senhora Aparecida as patron saint.
Flávio Bolsonaro and Lula attended separate Masses honoring Nossa Senhora Aparecida, and Geraldo Alckmin attended a Mass at the Basilica of Aparecida.
- Holiday
- 12 October, Brazil’s holiday for Nossa Senhora Aparecida
- Flávio Bolsonaro’s Mass
- Brasília Cathedral
- Lula’s Mass
- Chapel at the Alvorada residence
- Geraldo Alckmin’s Mass
- Basilica of Aparecida, São Paulo state
- Earlier bill
- Presented in 2007 and archived the following year
What people are saying
Isso é uma grande mentira, não tem pé nem cabeça, não existe esse projeto
sobretudo num instante em que a Nossa Senhora Aparecida é ofendida por alguns religiosos que não querem respeitar a religião dos outros
Esse gesto é para a gente poder mostrar que em um país civilizado, um país harmônico, um país democrático, ou seja, cada um segue a religião que quiser e todos nós temos que respeitar
Estou muito feliz que o Dia de Nossa Senhora Aparecida é o dia em que eu estou novamente autorizado a visitar o meu pai, vítima de uma injustiça
Sources
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