Pope Francis arrives to Brazil's warm embrace

July 23, 2013 02:50

Pope Francis returned today to the warm embrace of Latin America, landing in Brazil to begin his first international trip as pontiff.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff waited on the tarmac for the pontiff to step down the stairs from the no frills commercial airliner that was specially booked for him.

It was the first time the Argentine-born Francis had returned to his home continent since his selection as pope in March.

Earlier on the flight from Rome, Francis expressed concern for a generation of youth growing up jobless as the world economy sputters.

The message should resonate with the young people in the mammoth crowds expected at a papal Mass on Rio's Copacabana beach and other ceremonies during Francis' seven days in Brazil, the world's most populous Roman Catholic nation.

During his stay, the 76-year-old Argentine-born pontiff will meet with legions of young Catholics converging for the church's World Youth Festival in Rio, a seaside Sin city better known for hedonistic excess. More than 1 million people are expected to pack the white sands of Copacabana for the Mass celebrated by Francis. He will also visit a tiny chapel in a trash-strewn slum, and make a side trip to venerate Brazil's patron saint, Our Lady of Aparecida.

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