Pope Francis is holding his first Mass in Brazil
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 the shrine.
"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, but authorities 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment