The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Pope arrives in Rio on first overseas trip
THE POPE has arrived in Brazil on his first overseas trip since becoming head of the Catholic Church in March.
The first Latin American Pope touched down at Rio de Janeiro airport yesterday afternoon and was greeted by President Dilma Rousseff.
During his visit mammoth crowds are expected to celebrate mass on Copacabana beach.
Pope Francis is to meet young Roman Catholics converging on Rio for the church’s World Youth Day festival — believers whose behaviour has not been typical of the normal tourists in this seaside city known for hedonistic excess.
More than a million people are expected to pack the white sands of Copacabana to celebrate mass with the Pope.
He also will visit a tiny chapel in a slum, and grassroots Catholics love that he plans a side trip to venerate Brazil’s patron saint.
A poll from the respected Datafolha group said 57% of Brazilians aged 16 and older call themselves Catholic — the lowest ever recorded.
Just six years ago when Pope Benedict XVI visited, a poll by the same firm found 64% considered themselves among the faithful. In 1980 when Pope John Paul II became the first pontiff to visit Brazil, 89% listed themselves as Catholics.
In his few months as pontiff, Francis has shown an easy ability to connect with people, in particular with young Catholics, demonstrating humility and a warmth the faithful feel is genuine.
Church leaders hope his Brazil trip will deepen that appeal.