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Brazil crowds greet Pope Francis in Rio de Janeiro | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Pope Francis has been greeted by tens of thousands of Brazilian pilgrims as he begins his first trip abroad since becoming head of the Catholic Church. | |
The first Latin American Pope was met by President Dilma Rousseff after he touched down at Rio de Janeiro airport. | |
The Argentina-born pontiff has travelled to Brazil to attend the Roman Catholic World Youth Day festival. | The Argentina-born pontiff has travelled to Brazil to attend the Roman Catholic World Youth Day festival. |
In a speech soon after his arrival, the Pope urged young Catholics to "make disciples of all nations". | |
"I came to meet young people coming from all over the world, drawn to the open arms of Christ the Redeemer," he said at the Rio state governor's palace. | |
Meanwhile, the Brazilian military said a homemade explosive device had been discovered at a shrine between Rio and Sao Paulo that the Pope is due to visit later this week. | |
Relaxed and jovial | |
As Pope Francis disembarked from the Alitalia plane, he was welcomed by President Rousseff to cheers and applause from the waiting crowd. A choir sang an anthem linked to Youth Day and he was presented with a bouquet of flowers. | |
The Pope waved before being taken by motorcade to the centre of Rio, where thousands of pilgrims have gathered. | |
Pope Francis looked relaxed and jovial as he was driven into Rio de Janeiro in a modest family car, with the window wound down and security officials struggling to keep back the crowds, the BBC's Wyre Davies reports from Rio. | |
There were chaotic scenes as his car became stuck in one of the city's infamous traffic jams, and crowds gathered round hoping to catch a glimpse or touch Pope Francis, he adds. One woman passed her baby through the window for a kiss from the Holy Father. | |
Once in the city centre, the Pope switched to an open-air Popemobile, waving at the tens of thousands who lined the streets he travelled through. | |
"I can't travel to Rome, but he came here to make my country better... and to deepen our faith," said a tearful 73-year-old Idaclea Rangel. | |
'Thrown away' | |
The authorities have increased security during the Pope's visit, following weeks of nationwide protests against corruption and bad governance. | The authorities have increased security during the Pope's visit, following weeks of nationwide protests against corruption and bad governance. |
Pope Francis refused to use an armoured Popemobile, despite requests from Brazilian officials. Some 30,000 security staff will be on duty during his visit. | |
More than a million young Catholics are expected to gather in Rio for World Youth Day, which takes place every two years, and is a celebration of the Catholic faith. | More than a million young Catholics are expected to gather in Rio for World Youth Day, which takes place every two years, and is a celebration of the Catholic faith. |
The Pope - who became head of the Catholic Church in March - is due to lead a service on Copacabana beach, and visit a shanty town. | |
Speaking to reporters on his flight from Rome, the Pope said "we run the risk of having a generation that hasn't worked," even though work confers dignity. | Speaking to reporters on his flight from Rome, the Pope said "we run the risk of having a generation that hasn't worked," even though work confers dignity. |
He also criticised what he said was a "culture" of socially rejecting the elderly who were "thrown away" as if they had nothing to offer. | He also criticised what he said was a "culture" of socially rejecting the elderly who were "thrown away" as if they had nothing to offer. |