Debates Over Sainthood and Faith in Brazil's Presidential Election
Religious debates erupting around the country's patron saint ahead of Brazil's critical presidential election have polarized voters.
Days before Brazil's presidential election, growing religious debates centered on the figure of the nation's patron saint, Our Lady, have reached a scale capable of influencing the course of the electoral race.
Pre-Election Debates
Ahead of Brazil's presidential election, the country's patron saint, Our Lady of Aparecida, has taken center stage in controversies, creating an unexpected agenda in the electoral race.
Candidates' Standing
Before the critical voting to be held on Sunday, leftist leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his right-wing rival Flávio Bolsonaro are locked in a neck-and-neck race in the polls.
Viral Statement
The rapid spread online of Bolsonaro's remarks declaring that Brazil would belong to Jesus Christ triggered speculation that the Protestant politician would alter the status of the patron saint.
Denial and Reactions
Denying claims that he would change the saint's office and labeling them as fake news, Bolsonaro faces an opposition camp under Lula trying to turn this situation to their advantage in the campaign within a country with a high Catholic population.