As the Rio Olympics starts, here are the best pictures of Christ The Redeemer

It is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the world, towering over one the of the great cities - which this month hosts the Olympics. The statue of Christ the Redeemer is a destination for pilgrims and tourists alike when in Rio De Janeiro. This week, sports stars have flocked to the feet of one of the best-known depictions of Jesus. Meanwhile, the Olympic torch was carried past, and greeted by the Archbishop of Rio.

The statue was finished in 1931 and was announced as one of the seven wonders of the modern world in 2007 along with Petra in Jordan, The Colosseum in Rome and the Taj Mahal in India. Although there are other similar statues across the world, none are as famous and iconic as Christ the Redeemer.

During the football World Cup, hosted by Brazil two years ago, the statue was a prominent part of the TV coverage and we can expect to see more footage during the Olympics and Paralympics.

Here we look at some of the most stunning photographs of this beautiful monument.

News
Gloucester Cathedral to unveil stunning new pipe organ
Gloucester Cathedral to unveil stunning new pipe organ

Gloucester Cathedral has said that this year’s Organ Festival will be extra special, as it will see the unveiling of its brand new organ.

Religious freedom violations increasing in Nicaragua
Religious freedom violations increasing in Nicaragua

The situation has declined since 2018.

Päivi Räsänen calls for repeal of hate speech laws across Europe after shock conviction
Päivi Räsänen calls for repeal of hate speech laws across Europe after shock conviction

All copies of a decades old pamphlet are to be destroyed after Finland's former Minister of the Interior was convicted of hate speech - even though the law that convicted her did not exist at the time the pamphlet was published.

Gunmen in Nigeria kill 28 people in predominantly Christian area
Gunmen in Nigeria kill 28 people in predominantly Christian area

Gunmen on Sunday reportedly killed 28 people in a densely populated, predominantly Christian area of Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria, sources said.