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Roman Catholics gather in Rio for World Youth Day | Roman Catholics gather in Rio for World Youth Day |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Hundreds of thousands of Roman Catholics have gathered at Copacabana Beach in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro for the opening of the World Youth Day festival. | Hundreds of thousands of Roman Catholics have gathered at Copacabana Beach in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro for the opening of the World Youth Day festival. |
The highlight of the festival will be a visit on Thursday by Pope Francis. | The highlight of the festival will be a visit on Thursday by Pope Francis. |
The Pope arrived on Monday for his first trip abroad since becoming head of the Roman Catholic Church. | The Pope arrived on Monday for his first trip abroad since becoming head of the Roman Catholic Church. |
His visit is taking place under tight security, after weeks of protests against the government and corruption. | His visit is taking place under tight security, after weeks of protests against the government and corruption. |
Tuesday's evening mass at Copacabana Beach will be led by Rio's Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta. | Tuesday's evening mass at Copacabana Beach will be led by Rio's Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta. |
He will welcome pilgrims to the five-day festival, which is expected to draw about 1.5 million people from around the world. | He will welcome pilgrims to the five-day festival, which is expected to draw about 1.5 million people from around the world. |
There was transport chaos shortly before the event when the Rio metro system was brought to a standstill by a power cut. | |
The Pope, who is from neighbouring Argentina, had no public events scheduled for Tuesday and was spending time at a private residence. | |
Correspondents say Brazil is reviewing security around the 76-year-old pontiff after he was mobbed following his arrival in Brazil on Monday. | |
Many were able to stop the Pope's motorcade as it travelled through Rio and reach their hands inside his car's open window. | Many were able to stop the Pope's motorcade as it travelled through Rio and reach their hands inside his car's open window. |
"The Pope's secretary told me he was terrified, but the Pope kept smiling," Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told reporters. | "The Pope's secretary told me he was terrified, but the Pope kept smiling," Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told reporters. |
The Pope was officially welcomed at the state governor's palace by President Dilma Rousseff on Monday. | |
However, police outside later fired tear gas to disperse people who were protesting against the government, but also against the cost of the papal visit. | |
On Wednesday the Pope will visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Sao Paulo state, where a homemade explosive device was discovered on Sunday. | On Wednesday the Pope will visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Sao Paulo state, where a homemade explosive device was discovered on Sunday. |
The authorities said the device was "of low power" and nowhere near the area where the Pope and pilgrims will visit. | The authorities said the device was "of low power" and nowhere near the area where the Pope and pilgrims will visit. |
Mr Lombardi later insisted that the discovery was no cause for concern. | Mr Lombardi later insisted that the discovery was no cause for concern. |