, also known as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, is a Catholic religious temple located in the Brazilian city of Aparecida, in the State of São Paulo. It is the largest Catholic church in Brazil and the second largest in the world, second only to the St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. [2] [3] It was solemnly consecrated in July 4, 1980, by John Paul II, [4] when he visited Brazil for the first time. In another of his visits, through Aparecida, he blessed the shrine and in 1984, the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) raised the new Basilica the National Sanctuary. . Located in the city center, with the access to “Catwalk of Faith”, which links the current basilica with the old, both visited by pilgrims [3] It was visited by three popes: John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francisco.
