Christ the Redeemer Sanctuary Making a Difference: A Global Symbol of Faith and a Call to Climate Action
For the first time in history, Rio’s iconic monument and a symbol of Brazil has become a beacon for global climate advocacy in alignment with the Vatican's Jubilee 2025
Rio de Janeiro, January 1, 2025 — The world began 2025 with a moment of profound significance as the 38-meter-tall Christ the Redeemer monument in Rio de Janeiro became the centerpiece of a call to climate action, in alignment with the Vatican’s Jubilee 2025. Through an innovative mapped projection, the emblem of the MAD Impact Foundation (Make A Difference) was displayed on the nearly century-old monument, long revered as a universal symbol of faith, compassion, and hope.
The Christ the Redeemer monument “wore” the MAD logo and displayed a video addressing the urgency of climate action minutes before the New Year’s countdown. As fireworks illuminated Rio’s sky, Christ the Redeemer stood as a steadfast beacon, clad in the MAD emblem, amplifying the call for global unity and immediate action while marking the beginning of a year of spiritual renewal.
Digitally projected onto the towering figure, the MAD emblem aligns with the Vatican’s Jubilee 2025 themes of hope, reconciliation, and ecological justice. The event was coordinated by Father Omar, Rector of the Archdiocesan Sanctuary of Christ the Redeemer, with the blessing of His Holiness Pope Francis. Strategically held alongside Rio de Janeiro’s famous New Year’s celebrations, the event highlighted the urgency of climate action.
“Christ the Redeemer has always represented renewal and unity. During this Jubilee Year, as we reflect on faith and reconciliation, the monument also serves as a call to conscience—a reminder that we must act with faith, courage, and compassion to protect our common home,” said Father Omar.
Jubilee 2025 is a moment of spiritual renewal globally celebrated by the Catholic Church under the leadership of Pope Francis. This year’s Jubilee emphasizes the interconnectedness of faith, ecology, and humanity’s collective responsibility to care for the Earth and the most vulnerable among us.
“This initiative is more than symbolic; it represents a pivotal moment in the fight against climate change,” said Pope Francis. “Let us hear the cry of the Earth and the voices of the most vulnerable among us. This moment must inspire a global movement of solidarity and decisive action, for the care of our common home is a sacred duty.”
This projection also marked the public launch of the MAD Impact Foundation, a newly established nonprofit committed to accelerating transformative climate solutions through collaboration, technology, and global engagement.
The illumination of Christ the Redeemer with the MAD emblem is more than a symbolic gesture; it represents a crucial moment in the fight against climate change and the drive to accelerate solutions that improve lives.
The MAD Impact Foundation (Make A Difference) is not solely focused on reducing carbon emissions—it aims to catalyze transformative technologies, accelerate innovation, and foster a global culture of inclusivity and action. By bridging knowledge, technology, and solutions to governments and people, MAD seeks to create growth, improve living standards, and ensure sustainable development.
“This is not just an event—it is a transcendental moment that unites faith, science, and humanity’s shared responsibility to act. MAD is about the possible, even when it seems impossible, and ensuring that everyone has a role to play in creating a better, cleaner future,” said Aline Miller, co-founder of the MAD Impact Foundation
“We are changing the narrative from problems to possibilities—from despair to hope, and from individual disempowerment to collective action. By focusing on scalable solutions, innovative technology, and bold leadership, we aim to ignite a global response to the defining crisis of our time,” said David Miller, co-founder of the MAD Impact Foundation.
“This is not simply an environmental message—it is a declaration that we can no longer afford inaction. The alignment of faith, science, and public engagement that this event represents is exactly what we need to catalyze a collective awakening,” said Roberto Teixeira da Costa, founding President of the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission and founder of the Brazilian Center for International Relations.
The “Christ is MAD” initiative exemplifies the growing convergence between faith communities and environmental movements, showing how spirituality and science can come together to confront the existential threat of climate change.
With Pope Francis’s blessing, the event amplifies the Vatican’s emphasis on ecological justice as a moral imperative. “The climate crisis is not just a scientific or political issue—it is deeply human. It demands courage, faith, and collective action to protect the dignity of all life and safeguard future generations,” the Pope remarked.
By merging the spiritual significance of Christ the Redeemer with the universal urgency of climate action, this initiative elevates the conversation to a global stage, demonstrating that hope and action must go hand in hand to confront humanity’s greatest challenge.
About the MAD Foundation
The MAD Impact Foundation (Make A Difference) is a global nonprofit organization (501c3 registered in the United States) dedicated to inspiring hope, catalyzing action, and delivering transformative solutions to address climate challenges.
The foundation focuses not just on reducing carbon emissions but also on fostering transformative technologies, accelerating innovation, and promoting a global culture of inclusion and action. By connecting knowledge, technology, and solutions to governments and people, MAD aims to drive growth, improve living standards, and ensure sustainable development.
About the Archdiocesan Sanctuary of Christ the Redeemer
The Archdiocesan Sanctuary of Christ the Redeemer is the world’s first open-air sanctuary and a national symbol of Brazil’s Christian spirit. The Sanctuary operates within a governance framework emphasizing corporate responsibility, risk management, and compliance in its celebration management and social programs, serving over 100 social institutions through the Sustainable Christ Consortium, formed by the Archdiocesan Sanctuary of Christ the Redeemer, the Redemptor Institute, and the O Sol Social Work.
Together, the consortium acts as a major socio-environmental advocate, driving meaningful change. Through actions, campaigns, and projects in social, economic, environmental, and cultural areas, the consortium supports people in vulnerable situations, aligning with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Works of Mercy of the Catholic Church.
Declaration: Force for Good is partnering with the MAD Foundation as part of the implementation of the nine big ideas that can close the UN SDGs.