There's no overstating just how iconic Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue is, drawing more than 3 million visitors each year and having been shown in countless shows and movies, but the attraction is 85 years old and in need of repair.
According to the Religion News Service, the Archdiocese of Rio has launched an international appeal for donations in hopes of restoring and ultimately maintaining the statue.
Cardinal Orani Joao Tempesta launched the "Friends of Christ the Redeemer" campaign earlier this month, calling the statue "the greatest showcase for Rio and Brazil."
However, the 98-foot-tall structure routinely suffers cracks from lightning strikes, which are estimated to occur an average of six times per year. Moisture seeping into cracks in the stone is also an issue as it creates rust, according to architect Cristina Ventura.
In addition to fixing the statue, the money would be used to pay the more than two dozen employees at the site.
Rev. Omar Raposo, who is responsible for maintaining the monument, said ticket sales at Tijuca National Park - where the statue is located - aren't put toward the attraction.
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"For the past 85 years the monument has been maintained with the help of private donations and the Catholic Church's own resources," Raposo told the Religion News Serice. "But unfortunately, with the economic crisis in Brazil, we need to appeal for more contributions to make ends meet."
Chico Mendes Institute, the park's administrators told the Religion News Service that it's currently in talks with the archdiocese in regards to establishing a new agreement that could potentially benefit the monument financially.
There's no doubt Rio, the site of this past summer's Olympic Games, has fallen on tough times. Earlier this month, the city's mayor-elect proposed a new tourist tax that would raise funds to pay back visitors who are mugged in wake of historic levels of street crime in 2016.
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