No matter how well it has been planned, the July 22-28 visit of Pope Francis to Brazil for World Youth Day is sure to be “a bit of an adventure” because the Pope is “full of surprises”, according to the papal spokesman.
Reflecting the simplicity and humility that has characterised his pontificate, the Pope’s WYD accommodation will be a basic room with a simple bed, a nightstand with a telephone and a small desk.
Already Pope Francis has scrapped a scheduled day of rest and added events including a visit to the slums of Ro de Janeiro and a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, said Father Federico Lombardi.
Originally a “less demanding” schedule was drawn up for Pope Benedict XVI, because of his advanced age and declining health. When Benedict announced his resignation, he gave an assurance that his successor would attend WYD.
A crowd of around 1.5 million is expected to attend the concluding open-air Mass that Pope Francis will celebrate in Rio de Janeiro on July 28.
Organisers of the widespread street protests that swept through Brazil in June have announced plans to take to the streets again while Pope Francis is in Rio de Janeiro, under the banner of “Pope, look how we are treated!”
The head of Brazil’s main intelligence agency has told reporters the spectre of a new round of protests was a “major concern”, and officials in Rio de Janeiro have vowed to stage “the biggest police operation in the city’s history”.
But the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, felt compelled to tell people the Pope “has no direct connection to the sins of Brazilian politicians”, adding that perhaps the Pope would forgive them if they made a good confession.
And the chief of staff to Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, Gilberto Carvalho, predicted that Pope Francis himself is his own security system.
“The Pope will be safe here,” Carvalho said, “and not because of the armed forces, but because of … the sympathy he inspires, since he represents a new hope not just for the Church but for mankind.”
Sources:
Image: Catholic News Agency