Lula and Flávio Attend Masses on Our Lady's Day
Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro attend masses in Brasília on Our Lady Aparecida's Day. Geraldo Alckmin travels to the National Sanctuary. The date was marked by controversy over the title of patron saint.
The presidential candidates Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) participate, on Monday (12), in Catholic religious ceremonies in honor of the Day of Nossa Senhora Aparecida, the patron saint of Brazil. The agendas take place in Brasilia, while the candidate for vice in the petista plate, Geraldo Alckmin (PSB), travels to the National Sanctuary, in Aparecida (SP).
In the last week of the campaign for the first round of the 2026 elections, Nossa Senhora Aparecida was placed at the center of the national political debate. The discussion around the saint, whose image is in the largest Catholic temple in the country, shows the strength of one of the greatest symbols of the faith of Brazilians.
Presidential agenda in Brasilia
Lula will participate in the early morning of a Mass in honor of Nossa Senhora Aparecida in the chapel of the Palace of Dawn, at 9 am. The source did not specify whether other authorities would be present or whether the ceremony would be open to the press.
Flávio Bolsonaro will participate in the program in honor of the date in the Cathedral of Brasilia. He will be accompanied by Alfredo Gaspar (PL), the candidate for vice president. The source did not inform the time of the celebration or whether there will be speeches.
The religious agendas take place in the middle of the final straight of the campaign, when the candidates seek to approach the Catholic electorate, which represents a significant portion of the Brazilian electorate.
Alckmin calls for Pope's health
Geraldo Alckmin, candidate for vice president in the Lula plate, published a video on the way to the National Sanctuary of Aparecida, inside São Paulo. He is accompanied by his wife, Lu Alckmin, and said he will ask for the health of Pope Leo XIV, who will undergo surgery to remove a lump in his lung.
Alckmin's trip reinforces the tradition of politicians visiting the shrine on important religious dates, especially in election years. The Basilica of Aparecida has consolidated, in addition to the destination of millions of pilgrims every year, as a stop of presidential campaigns and 'stage' where politicians wave to Catholic voters.
Controversy over the title of patroness
The controversy over the Patron Saint began on the eve of the first round after posts associated Flávio Bolsonaro with a project to take the title of Patron Saint of Brazil. The circulation of publications that attributed to the candidate the intention to withdraw the title, information denied by him, provoked reactions from opponents, the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) and the Justice.
Supporters of Lula began to explore the posts politically and the dispute was taken to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), which released publications on the web on the subject, as long as they do not associate the project with the candidate of the PL. The decision sought to balance freedom of expression and protection against disinformation in the election period.
The episode highlights how religious symbols can be mobilized in the political dispute, generating debates that go beyond government proposals and touch on voters’ values and identities.
The importance of October 12 in the campaign
Nossa Senhora Aparecida Day, a national holiday, is traditionally a time of great visibility for political leaders, who take advantage of the date to demonstrate faith and proximity to the population. This year, with the presidential elections underway, the date has gained even more relevance.
The candidates’ agendas reflect the strategy of winning the vote of Catholic voters, who represent the majority of the Brazilian population, according to historical data. The presence at Masses and shrines is seen as a way to humanize candidates and reinforce values such as family and tradition.
For the voter, following these movements can help understand the priorities and alliances of each campaign, as well as revealing how religion influences the public debate in Brazil.
The Boca no Trombone Portal will continue to follow the electoral campaign and candidates’ agendas until voting day. Stay tuned for more updates.
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