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Pope arrives in Brazil for visit Pope arrives in Brazil for visit
(about 1 hour later)
Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo for a five-day visit to the world's most populous Roman Catholic nation.Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo for a five-day visit to the world's most populous Roman Catholic nation.
It is his first visit to Latin America since becoming Pope in April 2005.It is his first visit to Latin America since becoming Pope in April 2005.
He is to perform a series of open air Masses before travelling to Aparecida for the focus of the visit, a major conference of Latin American bishops.He is to perform a series of open air Masses before travelling to Aparecida for the focus of the visit, a major conference of Latin American bishops.
There he is expected to touch on the growing challenge the Catholic Church faces from evangelical groups.There he is expected to touch on the growing challenge the Catholic Church faces from evangelical groups.
Talking to journalists on the flight, the Pope said his main concern in the region was the loss of millions of disaffected Roman Catholics to evangelical churches.Talking to journalists on the flight, the Pope said his main concern in the region was the loss of millions of disaffected Roman Catholics to evangelical churches.
According to a recent study, some 64% of Brazilians are Catholic, but this number represents a 10% fall compared to 10 years ago and contrasts with an upsurge in converts to evangelical churches.According to a recent study, some 64% of Brazilians are Catholic, but this number represents a 10% fall compared to 10 years ago and contrasts with an upsurge in converts to evangelical churches.
Abortion debate The issue of abortion is also expected to feature, amid dismay within the Catholic Church at Mexico City's move to legalise it.
Pope Benedict is to open the bishops' conference, the first such meeting for 15 years, on Sunday. 'Peace to all of you'
The two-week forum will bring together almost 200 bishops and cardinals from across Latin American and the Caribbean. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva greeted Pope Benedict as his plane touched down at Sao Paulo's international airport.
HAVE YOUR SAY The Catholic church is losing congregations because of its orthodox view Alessandro Cavalcante, Sao Paulo Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The Catholic church is losing congregations because of its orthodox view Alessandro Cavalcante, Sao Paulo Send us your comments
It is expected to set out the Church's agenda and policies in the region for the coming years. "I extend my greetings to all the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean in the words of the Apostle: 'Peace to all of you who are in Christ'," the Pope said, speaking in Portuguese.
The conference comes only weeks after legislators in Mexico City voted to legalise abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Crowds waited in the rain to catch a glimpse of the pontiff, who later went to a monastery where he will stay during the visit.
Talking to journalists on the plane, Pope Benedict backed Mexico City church officials who said that that politicians who supported the law and medical workers who performed abortions would be excommunicated. On Thursday, he is to address a youth gathering in the city's Pacaembu stadium and on Friday canonize Brother Antonio Galvao, Brazil's first native-born saint, during a public Mass.
"This excommunication was not an arbitrary one but is allowed by Canon (church) law which says that the killing of an innocent child is incompatible with receiving communion," he said. Then on Sunday, Pope Benedict is to open the bishops' conference, the first such meeting for 15 years.
The two-week forum will bring together almost 200 bishops and cardinals from across Latin American and the Caribbean to set out the Church's agenda and policies in the region for the coming years.
Abortion debate
The conference comes only weeks after Mexico City's decision on abortion.
Brazil has more Catholics than any other country in the world
Talking to journalists on the plane, Pope Benedict appeared to back Mexico City church officials who said that politicians who supported the law and medical workers who performed abortions would be excommunicated.
A Vatican spokesman later clarified the issue, saying the Pope did not intend to excommunicate anyone.A Vatican spokesman later clarified the issue, saying the Pope did not intend to excommunicate anyone.
However, Father Federico Lombardi said that "legislative action in favour of abortion is incompatible with participation in the Eucharist" and therefore "politicians exclude themselves from Communion".However, Father Federico Lombardi said that "legislative action in favour of abortion is incompatible with participation in the Eucharist" and therefore "politicians exclude themselves from Communion".
The subject is also up for debate in Brazil. The health minister has recently said he would like to see discussion on abortion - currently permitted only in limited circumstances - a suggestion that has already prompted a vigorous response from senior clergy.The subject is also up for debate in Brazil. The health minister has recently said he would like to see discussion on abortion - currently permitted only in limited circumstances - a suggestion that has already prompted a vigorous response from senior clergy.
Defections But the Pope said it was the issue of Catholics choosing to join evangelical churches that was "our biggest worry". "We need to find a convincing response," he said.
But the Pope said it was the issue of Catholics choosing to join evangelical churches that was "our biggest worry", and would be discussed at the conference.
"We need to find a convincing response," he said.
Pope Benedict is sure of a warm welcome from the Catholic faithful in Brazil, says the BBC's Simon Watts.Pope Benedict is sure of a warm welcome from the Catholic faithful in Brazil, says the BBC's Simon Watts.
But his problems is that both he and the local Catholic hierarchy are more conservative than most Brazilians.But his problems is that both he and the local Catholic hierarchy are more conservative than most Brazilians.
To the converts, the evangelicals offer the chance of redemption now, rather than in the after-life, as well as a social network and help with problems like drink or drugs.To the converts, the evangelicals offer the chance of redemption now, rather than in the after-life, as well as a social network and help with problems like drink or drugs.
In contrast, Catholic rituals can seem stuffy and out-of-touch with day-to-day reality for most Brazilians, our correspondent adds.In contrast, Catholic rituals can seem stuffy and out-of-touch with day-to-day reality for most Brazilians, our correspondent adds.