RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) 鈥 Christ the Redeemer was lit up in a Pele shirt among Brazilian tributes to the soccer great on the first anniversary of his death on Friday.
Pele died of colon cancer at age 82.
Christ the Redeemer had a projection of a Brazil shirt with Pel茅's name and number 10 and a message from Pope Francis. Pel茅 was a devout Catholic.
鈥淧el茅, as Mr. Edson Arantes do Nascimento became globally known, was undoubtedly an athlete who showed in his life all positive traits of a sportsman," the pontiff said in a letter as a local orchestra played. "The memory of 鈥榯he King of Soccer鈥 remains indelible in the minds of many, and it stimulates new generations to seek in sport a means to strengthen the bonds of unity among us."
Religious ceremonies were held at the Museu Pel茅 in Santos, the port city with his goals and success for Santos club, and in the small city of Tres Cora莽玫es, where he was born in 1940.
Santos also held a tribute at its Vila Belmiro Stadium, where Edson Cholbi do Nascimento, one of Pel茅's sons, released 10 white balloons from the center circle. Pel茅's funeral was at the stadium.
FIFA paid its respects with a video of highlights of the Brazilian great with a message: 鈥淧el茅鈥檚 legacy will always live on.鈥
Pele is the only man to win the World Cup three times.
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