About Rio de Janeiro:
Rio de Janeiro’s Catholic history is deeply tied to Brazil’s colonial past and its development as a cultural and religious hub. Catholicism arrived with Portuguese explorers in the early 16th century. When Pedro Álvares Cabral claimed Brazil for Portugal in 1500, the spread of Catholicism was a key colonial objective, driven by both the Portuguese Crown and the Catholic Church.
The Jesuits built churches and schools, such as the Colégio dos Jesuítas on Morro do Castelo, and worked to convert native peoples, often clashing with colonists over the enslavement of indigenous groups.
The first significant church, Igreja de São Sebastião, was established soon after the city’s founding, reflecting Rio’s patron saint.
Rio became Brazil’s colonial capital in 1763, boosting its religious prominence. The Catholic Church solidified its influence through the construction of baroque churches like the Igreja da Candelária and monasteries such as Mosteiro de São Bento.
The proclamation of the Republic in 1889 separated church and state, reducing the Church’s formal power. However, Catholicism remains central to Rio’s identity, with events like the annual Feast of São Sebastião and Corpus Christi processions drawing thousands.
The Christ the Redeemer statue, completed in 1931, became a global symbol of Rio’s Catholic faith and Brazilian identity. Designed by Carlos Oswald and sculpted by Paul Landowski, it was funded partly by the Church and public donations.
Rio hosted World Youth Day in 2013, with Pope Francis drawing millions to Copacabana Beach Mass, highlighting the city’s global Catholic significance.
Evangelicals have made inroads in to Brazil’s Catholic population in the 20th century, with Catholics dropping from 90% in 1970 to around 50% today, per recent Pew Research data. The city of Rio reflects this trend, though its Catholic identity remains strong and Catholicism remains dominant, with Catholic traditions like Carnival’s religious roots and devotion to Our Lady of Aparecida persist.
The Archdiocese of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro, one of Brazil’s most prominent, oversees a network of parishes, schools, and charities, with the Metropolitan Cathedral (completed in 1979) as a modern architectural symbol.
Rio’s Catholic heritage shapes its cultural calendar. Carnival, while now secular, began, of course, as a pre-Lenten celebration rooted in Catholic traditions.
The Feast of São Sebastião (Saint Sebastian) on January 20 includes masses and processions.
Catholic places of interest in Rio de Janeiro:
With a population of around 13 million as of 2024, Rio de Janeiro has many Catholic churches and places of interest.
Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Mountain: perhaps the most iconic Catholic structure in Rio de Janeiro.
The Church of Our Lady of Candelária ( Igreja da Candelária): magnificent church of historical interest
Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian (also known as Rio de Janeiro Cathedral):
São Bento Monastery: