Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug 23, 2012 / 15:06 pm
The official flag of the Olympic Games, on its way from London to Rio de Janeiro's Shrine of Christ the Redeemer, was received by Archbishop Orani Tempesta and World Youth Day volunteers.
The flag was presented during a ceremony on Aug. 19 attended by the mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes, and the president of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, Carlos Arthur Nuzman.
Archbishop Orani said the presence of the flag next to Christ the Redeemer should be a reminder that the preparations for the Summer Games in 2016 should take place in an atmosphere of peace and fraternity.
"We pray for the intercession of Christ the Redeemer so that, not only during the Olympics, the presence of the Olympic flag will lead us to seek after peace, understanding and fraternity," the archbishop said.
After the ceremony to receive the flag, the rector of the Shrine of Christ the Redeemer, Father Omar Raposo, celebrated Mass for the Wolrd Youth Day volunteers. In his homily, he reflected on the mission Christians have in the world.
"Service to God demands of us sacrifice and good will. We do everything for love of God and our Redeemer," he said.
Pope Benedict is slated to attend the global youth event next summer, which will take place from July 23-July 28.
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