Crato, a municipality in the Brazilian state of Ceará, was the scene on Thursday of the inauguration of the world's largest statue of the Virgin Mary, drawing thousands of people. The imposing monument, dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, reaches 54 meters in height and surpasses the iconic Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, which measures 38 meters. The festive and spiritual atmosphere lasted for several hours, solidifying the event as a milestone for the local community and for the state of Ceará. Devotion to Our Lady of Fatima runs deep in the Cariri region, and the construction of the statue is a response to both local religious tradition and the desire to strengthen the area's cultural and spiritual identity. The project was conceived as a way to pay homage to the Virgin and to establish Crato as a premier destination for Catholic pilgrims. With the inauguration of this monument, Crato is positioning itself as a new epicenter of religious tourism in Brazil, and it is expected that the influx of visitors will help boost the local economy and strengthen the community's ties to its spiritual heritage. According to the Government of Ceará, the new statue of Our Lady of Fatima not only stands out for its height but also for its symbolic significance, as it is "the largest image of the Virgin Mary in the world," which places it above Christ the Redeemer in terms of size and makes it a new reference point for the Catholic faith in Brazil. During the ceremony, the large crowd of faithful expressed their emotion and devotion, completely filling the space around the monument. Attendees, many of them pilgrims, "came from different points in the region to participate in the inauguration and experience a day marked by faith and religious music." The event included a special mass held on a stage set up in front of the monument, followed by the inaugural blessing of the image and concerts by renowned religious artists. According to local media sources, the celebration was attended by Sister Raquel, Patrícia, and "Father Fábio de Mello, who was one of the main attractions of the night." Thousands of devotees arrived early to secure a prime spot and participate in the day's events. The monument, dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, reaches 54 meters in height.