Religion: Largest Christ

To see unveiled the world’s largest statue of Jesus Christ, 250,000 pilgrims and nearly all the 1,447,000 inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro, toiled up last week to Corcovado Mountain, nearly half a mile above the city and its great harbor. Rain dribbled dankly. In Rome, 5,000 mi. away, Senator Guglielmo Marconi flashed three short-wave wireless signals, contacting a switch which turned on a battery of floodlights. Revealed was Jesus Christ the Redeemer, 130 ft. high, 92 ft. from fingertip to fingertip, arms outstretched. Visible 20 mi. away, sculptured by Frenchman Paul-Maximilien Landowski, the mammoth statue represents ten years of planning and construction at a cost of $250,000 donated in small amounts by the Brazilian faithful. His Holiness the Pope sent blessings, appointed Sebastian Cardinal Leme da Silveira Cintra, Archbishop of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro, to be Papal Legate at the dedication ceremonies.