Brazilian bishops are criticizing a recent decision that gives a de facto green light to same-sex marriage just two months before a visit to the predominantly Catholic country by Pope Francis.

On Tuesday, the National Council of Justice (NCJ), a panel which oversees the South American state's legal system and is headed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, said government offices that issue marriage licenses had no standing to reject gay couples.

A top judicial panel cleared the way for same-sex marriage in Brazil Tuesday, ruling that gay couples could not be denied marriage licenses.

The National Council of Justice, which oversees the Brazilian judicial system and is headed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, said government offices that issue marriage licenses had no standing to reject gay couples.

President Mohamed Morsi pressed for closer bilateral trade and investment ties with Brazil here Wednesday on the first official visit by an Egyptian leader to Latin America's dominant economic power.

"We want more cooperation with Brazil," Morsi told a press conference after two hours of wide-ranging talks with his Brazilian counterpart Dilma Rousseff.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi has welcomed a meeting held between Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea and caretaker Energy Minister Jebran Bassil on the electoral law.

Al-Rahi, who is currently visiting Brazil, told a delegation from Lebanese Christian parties in Sao Paulo that “Bkirki is at an equal distance from everyone” and that he is “in daily contact with the Christian parties.”

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi stressed that the Lebanese are people of “peace and not war,” saying that they are holding onto coexistence, reiterating calls for the release of two bishops who were kidnapped in Syria last month.

Al-Rahi during his visit to Sao Paolo, Brazil as part of his ongoing tour of South America, said that Lebanese are molded together as they are holding onto coexistence and living together in their country.

Brazilian contemporary art takes center stage at Sotheby's in New York this month in the latest sign of the South American giant's global rise.

The "Brasil Vivido" selling exhibition includes some 50 works by 16 artists and will take place at the prestigious auction house May 10-29.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi criticized the delay in the formation of a new government, reported the National News Agency Wednesday.

He stressed the need to form a new cabinet because the “delay cannot persist longer than this.”

A Catholic priest in southeastern Brazil was excommunicated on Monday after publicly resigning from his duties to protest against the church's opposition to homosexuality.

"Father Roberto Francisco Daniel can no longer celebrate the divine rite because he has been excommunicated," a statement from the Bauru diocese in Sao Paulo state said.

President Mohamed Morsi of Egypt will visit Brazil on May 7 for a two-day visit focused on the economy, his spokesman Ehab Fahmy said on Wednesday.

Morsi, who won elections last June promising to address the battered economy, has already visited the four other member states of the BRICS group -- Russia, India, China and South Africa -- which he hopes Egypt can join.

Much like football, played on beaches with passion and flamboyance, the Brazilian bikini captures the essence of the country, with its colorful designs, cheeky cut and undoubtedly sexy style.

The best of Brazil's bikinis and swimwear was on display this week at the summer edition of Fashion Rio, attracting a growing number of foreign clients.