Pope Francis

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http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/490675/20130716/vatican-pope-francis-itinerary-world-youth-brazil.htm

Vatican Releases Pope Francis Itinerary for World Youth Day 2013 in Brazil
July 16, 2013 2:32 PM EST

 
Pope Francis itinerary from July 23-29 while in Brazil:

July 23 - Travel to the Nuestra Señora de Aparecida shrine, celebrate Mass and have lunch with a group of young seminarians. On his way back, will visit the San Francisco de Asis hospital, where AIDS patients are treated.

July 25 - In rites, Pope Francis will receive the "golden keys" to Rio and then bless the Olympic flags. Then will visit the Manguinhos slum, where over 50,000 people live. At 6 o'clock in the evening, the Pope attends and leads his first massive gathering with young pilgrims in the Copacabana beach.

July 26 - Lead confession of some of the youths. Meet with a group of young Rio prison inmates. In the evening, lead a Way of the Cross ceremony along the streets of Rio.

July 27 - Pope Francis is expected to attend a meeting with politicians and entrepreneurs at Rio's Municipal Theater.  In the evening, will celebrate a prayer vigil with more than one million youths.

July 28 - Pope Francis end this year's World Youth Day 2013 festivities with an open-air Mass. The announcement of the next WYD will declared at this time. After, the Pope will meet with Latin American bishops or their representatives.

Pope Francis is expected to be back in Rome on Monday at 11:30 a.m
 

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http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=22960

Pope Francis: weak and vulnerable are 'masterpieces of God’s creation'  
Posted: Tuesday, July 16, 2013 3:45 pm

In a special message to Catholics across Britain and Ireland, ahead of the annual Day for Life, Pope Francis has emphasised the need to care for life from conception to natural end. In his message, he says that all life has inestimable value ‘even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in his own image, destined to live for ever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect’.

He has promised his prayers that ‘Day for Life will help to ensure that human life always receives the protection that it is due.‘
 

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http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/americas/brazil-steps-up-security-for-pope-franciss-visit

Brazil steps up security for Pope Francis's visit
Agence France-Presse   
Jul 17, 2013

RIO DE JANEIRO // Brazil is embarking on a huge security operation to deter any repetition of last month's social unrest and protect Pope Francis during his visit next week.

More than 1.5 million pilgrims from around the world are expected to flock to Rio de Janeiro for the July 22-28 visit during World Youth Day (WYD), a major Roman Catholic festival.

The defence ministry, which is coordinating security, is boosting from an initial 8,500 to 10,266 the number of army, air force and navy personnel to be deployed for the high-profile event. The increase was decided because of "the massive street protests in June", a ministry spokesman said.

In addition to the armed forces, state security officials will launch "the biggest police operation in the city's history", said Roberto Alzir Dias Chaves, the under secretary for major events.

"Seven thousand police will beef up the city's 12,000 police, in addition to 1,700 members of the elite national force and units of the civilian, highway and federal police forces," he said.

"It will be a bigger mobilisation than what occurred two years ago at the Madrid WYD," he said, noting that the plan had been developed well before the street protests in June.
 

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http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57594054-1/cut-your-time-in-purgatory-by-following-pope-on-twitter/

Cut your time in purgatory by following pope on Twitter
July 16, 2013 4:25 PM PDT

If you're Christian, you might believe the keys to salvation are faith and good works. But a little Twitter might help get you to the Pearly Gates too.

You can now reduce the time your everlasting soul has to spend in purgatory by following tweets from Pope Francis and Catholic World Youth Day, an event held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that the pontiff will attend later this month.

The policy is a form of indulgence, a centuries-old tradition in the Catholic Church in which the temporal punishment for absolved sins is relieved. Since it's a plenary indulgence, a believer gets total remission of sins and relief from penitence.
 
But that doesn't mean you just click on "follow" and sin at will, according to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

"Get it out of your heads straight away that this is in any way mechanical, that you just need to click on the Internet in a few days' time to get a plenary indulgence," the daily quoted Claudio Maria Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, as saying.

"What really matters is that the pope's tweets from Brazil, or the photos of World Youth Day that will be posted on Pinterest, should bear authentic spiritual fruit in the hearts of each one of us."

"Then even a youngster who is a very long way from Brazil and feels involved by a video, a simple text message, or an e-mail will be truly taking part in the World Youth Day and will receive the gift of the indulgence."

The report quotes a Catholic decree concerning World Youth Day that says the faithful "can obtain the plenary indulgence...by the new means of social communication."
 

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http://www.catholicsentinel.org/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=34&ArticleID=21830

World Youth Day by the numbers: pilgrims, toilets and security patrols
(July 16, 2013)

SAO PAULO  -- As hundreds of thousands of young Catholic pilgrims descend on Brazil, World Youth Day coordinators in Rio de Janeiro are putting the finishing touches on preparations for up to 2.5 million people.

By July 15, more than 320,000 people had registered for the event. Media coordinator Carol Castro said many pilgrims will register when they arrive, and many will participate in the events without being registered.

The countries with the greatest numbers of pilgrims registered are Brazil, Argentina and the United States, but young people are coming from as far away as the Philippines and Slovakia. 

More than 8,400 priests from all over the globe requested credentials for the event. Approximately 5,500 journalists have been given credentials to cover Pope Francis' first international trip.

Castro said 55 percent of registered pilgrims are women and 60 percent of those coming are ages 19-34. About 300,000 beds were made available in family homes, sports centers and schools in Rio.

Officials said more than 270 locations are available for catechetical session in 26 languages, including Polish, Latvian, Mandarin and Flemish.

They said 60,000 volunteers, of whom 7,000 are foreigners, will be on hand during the week to help and direct pilgrims to the events in Rio. Nearly 800 singers, dancers, actors and musicians will be participating in the main events.

Catholic officials will have 4 million hosts for consecration, and 100 confessionals will be at hand for pilgrims.

Pope Francis will greet pilgrims on a stage overlooking Copacabana beach July 25. For those unable to get to the main stage, organizers have set up two large and 16 smaller screens and 26 sound towers.

The July 27 vigil will be outside the city at a site equal to approximately 150 soccer fields. The venue has been dubbed Campus Fidei, Latin for Field of Faith. This is also the site for Pope Francis' July 28 Mass with young people, who can watch on 33 large outdoor screens if they cannot see the altar.

To make things more comfortable for pilgrims spending the night, the area will have 4,673 portable bathrooms, 270 of which were adapted for people with disabilities.

More than 12 million liters of water will be at hand for pilgrims, distributed in 177 locations throughout the area.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/07/17/lombardi:_sense_of_anticipation_and_participation_ahead_of_wydrio/en1-711171

2013-07-17 14:07:19
Lombardi: "Sense of anticipation and participation" ahead of WYDRio

(Vatican Radio/VIS) – In a press conference held this morning the director of the Holy See Press Office, Federico Lombardi S.J., presented information on Pope Francis' imminent apostolic visit to Rio de Janeiro for the 28th World Youth Day. Fr. Lombardi reviewed the Holy Father's programme for the week he will spend in Brazil, explaining that this journey is “particularly significant in his continent, and this naturally lends it a particular sense of anticipation and participation”.

“As we know”, Fr. Lombardi continued, “it was not his decision to make his first trip to Latin America, but rather it was his predecessor Benedict XVI who had confirmed that World Youth Day would be held in Brazil, and had confirmed that 'the Pope' would be present, as at all the World Youth Days, even though the Pope in this case would not have been him. Therefore, Pope Francis is assuming the legacy of Pope Benedict XVI's pontificate in making this trip. You will recall that practically the same thing happened at the last change of pontificate: Benedict XVI's first trip was to Germany, his homeland, to Cologne for the World Youth Day decided by his predecessor John Paul II”.
 

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http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/136270/reports-say-cfk-may-fly-to-brazil-to-meet-with-pope-francis

Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Reports say CFK may fly to Brazil to meet with Pope Francis

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner may fly to Río de Janeiro next week to meet with Pope Francis who is expected to arrive on Monday in the South American country to attend the 2013 World Youth Day.

EFE Spanish news agency informed today that Argentina's Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and her counterparts from Chile and Panama, Sebastián Piñera and Ricardo Martinelli, have already accepted the invitations to the event.
 

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http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/07/19/pope-francis-visits-benedict-before-leaving-for-rio-shows-him-program-and-asks/

Pope Francis visits Benedict before leaving for Rio, shows him program and asks for prayers
Published July 19, 2013

VATICAN CITY –  Pope Francis has visited Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI ahead of his trip to Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day — a trip Benedict had planned to make before retiring in February.

The Vatican said Francis spent about a half-hour Friday with Benedict and asked him for his prayers for the July 22-28 trip. Francis gave Benedict the booklet outlining the program as well as the commemorative medal that has been prepared for the trip.

Benedict participated in three World Youth Day events: in Cologne, Germany, soon after he was elected in 2005; in Sydney, Australia, in 2008; and Madrid, Spain, in 2011.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/07/19/pope_francis_establishes_commission_on_economic_structures/en1-711788

2013-07-19 13:17:57
Pope Francis establishes Commission on Economic Structures

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday established the Pontifical Commission for Reference on the Organisation of the economic-administrative structure of the Holy See, a special commission to reform its economic and administrative departments. The Holy Father has already established a separate commission overseeing the Institute for the Works of Religion, commonly called the Vatican Bank. Listen to our report: RealAudioMP3

The full text of the announcement is below:
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/07/21/pope_visits_basilica_of_st_mary_major/en1-712348

2013-07-21 11:19:22
Pope visits Basilica of St Mary Major

(Vatican Radio)Pope Francis paid a visit on Saturday afternoon to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome to ask the Virgin for her protection for his upcoming apostolic journey to Brazil, for the young people who will gather at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro and for all young people worldwide. The Pope came to the Basilica to the 16:45, where he was welcomed by the Archpriest Cardinal Santos Abril y Castelló. He entered through the side door of the Sacristy and immediately went to the chapel where the image of the Madonna Salus Populi Romani is displayed and where the canons of the Basilica and the community of the Dominican fathers had gathered.

Before the icon of Mary, the Pope spent time in silent prayer, for over half an hour, then he offered a wreath and lit a candle which also carried the symbolic logo of the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/07/21/pope_angelus:_young_people_listen_to_the_voice_of_jesus/en1-712361

2013-07-21 12:39:13
Pope Angelus: Young people listen to the voice of Jesus

(Vatican Radio) On the eve of his departure to Brazil for the World Youth Day celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Pope Francis from the window of the apostolic palace asked those present in St Peter’s Square to accompany him spiritually in prayer for this his first Apostolic visit He also entrusted what he called “this new stage of the great pilgrimage of young people across the world”, to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who he added, is so loved and venerated in Brazil.

The Holy Father was speaking following the recitation of the Angelus underlining that at this time, young people should listen to the voice of Jesus. The week of World Youth Day said the Pope could also be called “World Youth Week as it is a week devoted to youth.

Peering down at the huge crowds in St Peter’s Square Pope Francis noticed a banner held up by a group of pilgrims, which read “Buon Viaggio” or “have a good trip”. He smiled and thanked them for their good wishes.
 

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/21/brazil-pope-francis-world-youth-day

Brazil readies for Pope Francis's visit amid uncertain times
Pontiff's tour to country for World Youth Day follows mass protests and comes as number of Catholic followers declines
Sunday 21 July 2013 13.05 EDT   

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Videos at the two links below

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/07/22/pope-francis-world-youth-day/2575123/

Pope Francis arrives in Brazil for 'renovation of faith'
5:33 p.m. EDT July 22, 2013

RIO DE JANEIRO – Pope Francis arrived in Brazil on Monday to renew efforts to boost participation in the Catholic faith on a continent that was converted to Catholicism centuries ago but has seen a drop in congregations.

People eagerly awaited the arrival of Francis in this heavily Catholic country, where many believe the pontiff needs to address the waning interest in the faith.

"We really need a renovation of faith," Rio schoolteacher Renato Oliveira said.

Thousands of people lined city streets on which the pope, famous for his frugality, rode in the back seat of a four-door Fiat that looked like many of the taxis in Rio.

He was to visit the state government offices in the Guanabara Palace in the afternoon for an official welcome to his first foreign tour since being elected four months ago.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff met Francis as he descended from his flight from Rome. The pontiff was then handed two bouquets of white and yellow flowers by two people, each of whom he kissed on the cheek.

On a red carpet full of church leaders, Francis and Rousseff were serenaded by a choir of about three dozen children.

Young people, some draped in Brazilian flags, swarmed his convoy as security shooed them away. Some came close enough to snap photos with smartphones. The convoy stopped on several occasions, including once so the pope could kiss a child.
 
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-exrsCM4yI

Raw: Pope Francis Arrives in Brazil
Published on Jul 22, 2013 

Pope Francis has returned to Latin America, landing in Brazil to begin his first international trip as pontiff. Carrying his own hand luggage, Francis flew from Rome to Rio on a no-frills commercial airliner that was specially booked for him. (July 22)

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Photo at the link

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/international/americas/2013/07/frenzied_crowds_greet_pope_francis_in_brazil

Frenzied crowds greet Pope Francis in Brazil
Monday, July 22, 2013

RIO DE JANEIRO — Frenzied crowds of Roman Catholics mobbed the car carrying Pope Francis on Monday when he returned to his home continent for the first time as pontiff, embarking on a seven-day visit meant to fan the fervor of the faithful around the globe.

During the pope's first minutes in Brazil, ecstatic believers swarmed around the closed Fiat several times when it was forced to stop by heavy traffic on the drive from the airport to an official opening ceremony in Rio's center. A few security guards struggled mightily to push the crowd back in scenes that at times looked alarming. A city official told Globo TV that the pope's driver turned into the wrong side of a boulevard and missed lanes that had been cleared.

Francis looked calm during the frenzy. He rolled down the window on the back passenger-side of the car where he was sitting, waving to the crowd and touching those who reached inside. At one point, a woman handed the pontiff a dark-haired baby, whom he kissed before handing it back.

After finally making it past crowds and blocked traffic, Francis switched to an open-air popemobile as he toured around the main streets in downtown Rio through mobs of people who screamed wildly as he waved and smiled. Many in the crowd looked stunned, with some standing still and others sobbing loudly.

Idaclea Rangel, a 73-year-old Catholic, was pressed up against a wall and choking out words through her tears. "I can't travel to Rome, but he came here to make my country better ... and to deepen our faith," she said.

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http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=882011&CategoryId=14090

Crowds Greet Pope in Brazil
(July 22, 2013)

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http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/07/22/in-brazil-pope-asks-permission-to-spend-the-week/comment-page-1/

Explosive found near site pope planned to visit
July 22nd, 2013  04:09 PM ET

Rio de Janeiro (CNN) - A small explosive device was found Sunday near a religious sanctuary that Pope Francis is to visit in Brazil on Wednesday, Sao Paulo military police confirmed on Monday, hours after the pope arrived.

"On July 21, a series of training actions took place at the city of Aparecida," Brazilian police said in a news release on Monday, hours after the pope's arrival in Rio de Janeiro.

"During the drill, a homemade explosive was found. The artifact was sent to military authorities for verification. Security personnel quickly cordoned the area off.The Special Tactical Action Group (GATE) was called to safely detonate destroy the artifact, without any further risk."

Brazilian police added that explosive appeared to have little destructive power. It was homemade, constructed out of a small plastic cylinder and duct tape, they said.

The explosive was found by air force personnel at a bathroom next to a parking lot, the police said. The affected area was not part of the pope's route; it was being prepared for pilgrims, according to Brazilian police.
 

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http://www.dfwcatholic.org/pope-comes-to-spark-flame-of-fraternal-love-in-rio-60663/.html

Pope comes to spark ‘flame of fraternal love’ in Rio
Posted by CNA Daily News on July 22nd, 2013

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jul 22, 2013 / 03:32 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Affirming the “great heart” of the Brazilian people, Pope Francis said at a welcome ceremony that he comes to World Youth Day in the name of Jesus to encourage fraternal love among humanity.

“I ask permission to come in and spend this week with you,” Pope Francis told the assembled representatives of the Brazilian nation. “I have neither silver nor gold, but I bring with me the most precious thing given to me: Jesus Christ!”

“I have come in his name, to feed the flame of fraternal love that burns in every heart; and I wish my greeting to reach one and all: The peace of Christ be with you!”

Shortly after landing at Rio de Janeiro's international airport on July 22, Pope Francis spoke in a ceremony at the governmental palace of the state of Rio de Janeiro. He was welcomed by the state governor and by the Brazilian president, Dilma Rousseff.

He expressed gratitude for God's “loving providence” which had allowed that his first international trip as pope “should take me back to my beloved Latin America.”

Pope Francis then greeted the bishops present, Archbishop Orani Tempesta of Saint Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro and Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno Assis, archbishop of Aparecida.

He acknowledged his Petrine office, saying that “with this visit, I wish to pursue the pastoral mission proper to the Bishop of Rome of confirming my brothers in their faith in Christ, of encouraging them to give an account of the reasons for the hope which comes from him, and of inspiring them to offer everyone the inexhaustible riches of his love.”

Pope Francis then turned his attention to the young people whom he has come to see in the week-long event, who are “drawn to the open arms of Christ the Redeemer” and find refuge “in his embrace, close to his heart.”
 
 

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I'm watching this now!  At the link, click the blue botton "WATCH LIVE"

http://ewtn.com/tv/

WORLD YOUTH DAY PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS

Welcome Ceremony
Mon. Jul. 22 at 2:45 PM ET & 9 PM ET

His Holiness Pope Francis arrives in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil for the 2013 World Youth Day, following a Papal Welcoming Ceremony and a ceremonial reception.

Life on the Rock Special from Rio
Tues. July 23 at 10 AM ET

Opening Mass
Tue. July 23 at 5:30 PM ET, Wed. July 24 at 12 AM ET

Opening Mass with Pope Francis

Mass at National Shrine of Aparecida
Wed. July 24 at 8:30 AM ET & 9:30 PM ET, Thurs. July 25 at 12 AM ET

His Holiness Pope Francis visits the National Shrine of Aparecida and celebrates Mass with Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno, Archbishop of Aparecida.

Opening of the "Polo de Atencao Integrada da Saude Mental"
Wed. July 24 at 5 PM ET, Thurs. July 25 at 2 AM ET

Pope Francis attends the opening of the "Pólo de Atencao Integrada da Saúde Mental (PAI)," a new drug rehabilitation center.

Meeting with the Mayor and Visit to the Slum of Varginha
Thu. July 25 at 8:30 AM ET & 9 PM ET

Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes presents the keys of the city to Pope Francis. Also, Pope Francis visits the slum of Varginha to address its residents and give his blessing.

Welcoming Ceremony at Copacabana
Thu. July 25 at 4:30 PM ET, Fri. July 26 at 2 AM ET

Pope Francis addresses the World Youth Day Pilgrims.

Angelus
Fri. July 26 at 10:30 AM ET, Sat. July 27 at 2 AM ET

Young inmates meet with Pope Francis at the Archbishop's Palace St. Joachim.

Via Crucis
Fri. July 26 at 4:30 PM ET & 9 PM ET

Pope Francis leads the Stations of the Cross with the Youth at Copacabana Beach.

Mass at Saint Sebastion Cathedral
Sat. July 27 at 7:30 AM ET & 11 PM ET, Sun. July 28 at 12 AM ET

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Cathedral São Sebastião (St. Sebastian Cathedral).

Meeting with representatives of the society of Rio de Janiero and Brazil
Sat. July 27 at 10:30 AM ET & 2:30 PM ET

Pope Francis meets with representatives of the society of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil at the Teatro Municipal (Municipal Theater).

Prayer Vigil at Campus Fidei at Guaratiba
Sat. July 27 at 6 PM ET, Sun. July 28 at 3 AM ET

Pope Francis addresses the youth and presides over Eucharistic Adoration.

Mass at Campus Fidei - includes Angelus

Sun. July 28 at 8:30 AM ET & 11 PM ET, Mon. July 29 at 12 AM ET
Pope Francis celebrates Holy Mass at Campus Fidei, announces the next city to host World Youth Day and prays the noon Angelus.

Meeting with Volunteers and Farewell Ceremony
Sun. July 28 at 4 PM ET, Mon. July 29 at 3:30 AM ET

Pope Francis thanks the many volunteers involved in World Youth Day at the Pavilhão 5 do Rio Centro (Pavilion 5 of the Rio Center).
 

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http://www.itv.com/news/story/2013-07-22/pope-francis-in-brazil/


Crowds quickly surrounded the Pope's car after the motorcade took a wrong turn. Credit: Reuters

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http://www.itv.com/news/story/2013-07-22/pope-francis-in-brazil/


Crowds greet Pope Francis in downtown Rio de Janeiro. Credit: Reuters