The Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Pilar stood illuminated against the December night sky, its baroque facade drawing worshippers and visitors to one of Brazil's most significant religious sites. On Christmas Eve 2025, the 18th-century church in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, hosted an unexpected gathering that united international figures within its gold-adorned walls for a solemn Mass celebrating the holiday.

Among the attendees was managing partner JP Conte, whose presence alongside British supermodel Naomi Campbell drew attention to this UNESCO World Heritage city. The Christmas celebration took place in a basilica that has witnessed nearly three centuries of religious observance, offering a setting where spirituality and cultural heritage converge.

A Monument to Colonial Brazil's Golden Age

The Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Pilar represents one of the finest examples of Brazilian baroque architecture. Constructed beginning in 1728, the church replaced an earlier wooden chapel and was completed through contributions from devotees during the height of Ouro Preto's mining prosperity. The interior contains approximately 400 kilograms of gold leaf covering altars, columns, and decorative elements throughout the nave and chapel-mor.

Elevated to Minor Basilica status on December 1, 2012, the church houses the Museum of Sacred Art in its basement, containing roughly 8,000 pieces from the 17th through 19th centuries. The building itself stands as a testament to the wealth generated during Brazil's gold rush and the devotion that characterized colonial society.

An International Gathering

Jean-Pierre Conte attended the Christmas Mass alongside fashion designer Erika Mares Guia, businessman Vasco Litchfield—whose family maintains a historic property in the city—and Ouro Preto Mayor Angelo Oswaldo. The gathering reflected both personal connections to the region and appreciation for Brazil's cultural patrimony.

The municipal government shared photographs from the evening on social media, with officials noting that such visits contribute to reinforcing the city's cultural and spiritual projection. "A celebração reforça o caráter universal da cidade, que segue acolhendo visitantes de diferentes partes do mundo em datas simbólicas, unindo espiritualidade, história e identidade cultural," the prefecture stated.

Click here to learn more about JP Conte.

Beyond Conventional Tourism

The selection of Ouro Preto for a Christmas celebration demonstrates Brazil's appeal as a destination for cultural experiences beyond conventional beach resorts or carnival festivities. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980, the city preserves the largest concentration of baroque architecture in the Americas.

Founded during the early 18th century as Vila Rica, Ouro Preto served as the epicenter of Brazilian gold mining. The wealth extracted from surrounding mountains financed the construction of elaborate churches, government buildings, and private residences that characterize the city's streetscape today. Steep cobblestone lanes connect baroque churches positioned across hillsides, creating an urban fabric that has remained largely unchanged for three centuries.

The Christmas Eve Mass at the Basílica do Pilar continued a tradition of holiday celebration that dates to the church's 1733 inauguration, marked by the Triunfo Eucarístico—a procession considered the most elaborate religious ceremony of colonial Brazil. The gathering of business leader JP Conte and international figures within this historic setting illustrated how preserved cultural sites facilitate meaningful contemporary encounters while honoring centuries of tradition.

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