Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Pope Francis Celebrates First Mass at Brazilian Shrine

Pope Francis is celebrating the first Mass of his trip to Latin
America, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in the Brazilian state
of Sao Paulo.
He warned his congregation against the "ephemeral idols" of money,
power and pleasure, reports the BBC.
On Monday the Pope faced chaotic scenes as he arrived in Rio de Janeiro.
He is in Brazil to attend the Roman Catholic World Youth Day festival.
It is his first trip abroad since becoming head of the Catholic Church
in March.
The highlight of the five-day festival will be a prayer service on
Rio's iconic Copacabana Beach on Thursday.
The pontiff's visit is taking place under tight security, after weeks
of anti-government protests.
He travelled to the shrine in Aparecida by plane and helicopter.
Thousands of pilgrims arrived in the rural town ahead of Wednesday's
Mass, which is taking place at the basilica holding theshrine.
"It is true that nowadays, to some extent, everyone, including our
young people, feels attracted by the many idols which take the place
of God and appear to offer hope - money, success, power, pleasure,"
the pontiff said during the service.
A homemade explosive device was discovered there on Sunday,
butauthorities said it was "of low power" and not near the area where
the Pope and pilgrims will visit.
The Vatican later insisted that the discovery was no cause for concern.
Pope Francis is expected to fly back to Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday
afternoon to visit a hospital and address young people taking part in
a drug rehabilitation program.

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