Rio prepares for World Youth Day launch

 

 

 World Youth Day is a series of events celebrating the Catholic faith

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 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.
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.

Pope's visit to Brazil - main events

Tuesday

• No scheduled public events

Wednesday:

• Visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Conception of Aparecida and to the St Francis of Assisi of the Providence of God Hospital in Rio

Thursday:

• Visit to the Varginha community in Rio, welcoming ceremony at the World Youth Day on Copacabana

Friday:

• Meeting with young prisoners and a Way of the Cross ceremony on Copacabana

Saturday:

• Meeting with Brazil's leaders in Rio and a prayer vigil with young people

Sunday:

• Holy Mass for the World Youth Day in Rio, farewell ceremony and departure for Rome

The Pope, who is from neighbouring Argentina, has 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 by adoring crowds 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.
"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. 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.
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.

Hundreds of thousands of young Roman Catholics are in Rio for World Youth Day celebrations