Workers repairing iconic Christ statue in Rio receive blessing
Reuters
2014-02-14
Views 552
With its picturesque views of Rio de Janeiro, the Christ the Redeemer statue atop the Corcovado Mountain draws visitors from around the globe every year.
And now the iconic monument is about get a facelift.
Workers are preparing to scale the 125-foot, or 38-meter, statue to make repairs after a lightning strike hit the monument last month.
The right middle finger and head are believed to have been chipped from another strike in December.
Cardinal-designate and current Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta hopes the popular monument will be repaired in the next few months.
(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) ARCHBISHOP ORANI JOAO TEMPESTA, SAYING:
"It's also going to be necessary to repair the finger during the restoration of the head, and there is haste to get this done in three to four months."
During his visit, the archbishop blessed the workers ahead of the $835,000 project.
And now the iconic monument is about get a facelift.
Workers are preparing to scale the 125-foot, or 38-meter, statue to make repairs after a lightning strike hit the monument last month.
The right middle finger and head are believed to have been chipped from another strike in December.
Cardinal-designate and current Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta hopes the popular monument will be repaired in the next few months.
(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) ARCHBISHOP ORANI JOAO TEMPESTA, SAYING:
"It's also going to be necessary to repair the finger during the restoration of the head, and there is haste to get this done in three to four months."
During his visit, the archbishop blessed the workers ahead of the $835,000 project.
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