Brazil's religions promote peace with events during World Cup

SAO PAULO - Less than a month from the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, leaders of several religions gathered at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro to kick off what they are calling the World Peace Cup.

Maracana Stadium will host the finals of the world's largest soccer tournament July 13.

The inter-religious World Peace Cup was designed to promote the spirit of a "world without guns, drugs, violence and racism" during this year's World Cup, said a statement from Rio de Janeiro's archdiocesan department, or pastoral, that deals with sports.

"We want to score in favor of peace," said Father Leandro Lenin Tavares, who works for the archdiocese.

He said the archdiocese's sports pastoral is promoting activities such as "decorate your street" and creating a "peace tent" to bring together players and fans of all nations to the spirit of the games.

"There should be a truce between nations and fans during this period," said Father Tavares.

Among religions promoting the World Peace Cup are Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, evangelicals and indigenous and African religions.