{UAH} Millions acclaim Pope Francis in Rio!

The Pope has arrived very safely in Rio de Janeiro where he will

attend the World Youth Day events that will last for the whole of this week.

He received a heroic welcome at the airport where he was welcomed by 

president Dilma.  He then, according to his express request to show his commitment

to the masses, asked to first be driven in a semi-open Jeep through the streets of the

vast city, thus relegating official welcome protocol to second position.

There was almost real madness on the streets as millions cheered the popemobile. In many

places crowds stood a hundred deep and for kilometres...! 

At the Presidential Palace, just like on the streets earlier, there was a thunderous ululation

from ordinary palace workers, Government officials, diplomats and other assembled notables!

Then, when his turn to speak arrived, he told the cheering audience that he didn't come with gold,

money, etc but he had brought with him Christ to give comfort to all! On this note, he received some

weighty cheers from his listeners! He then emphasized on the need to promote youth welfare  in order to

give a new hope to the youth all over the world. He spoke in Portuguese.

This day one has been a real conquest for the Pope whose love for the people has already turned him

into a legend.

Tuesday today the pope will take a rest and do spiritual recollection. While the youths will gather at Copacabana

Beach for mass which was going to be presided over by France's Cardinal Barbarin who unfortunately had

a heart attack a few days ago and is in hospital! Another cardinal will replace him and the holy mass which is

reported to assemble over a million people ill go on as programmed! Sorry for cardinal Barbarin, great friend of the

Pope and one of those very courageous cardinals who at the last conclave strongly promoted the idea of having a Pope

from the Global South!

The Pope will be in full business from Wednesday to the weekend. The heavy schedule includes saying Holy Mass

to 3 million people, visiting the poor slums of Rio, visiting the prisons, and praying at the Marian Shrine of Our Lady

of Aparecida which hosts 7 million pilgrims annually. It's the Brazilian president who requested him to visit the Shrine.

The Pope's visit has impacted on the whole Latin America, and up to now planes, buses from all over that continent are still

arriving in Rio where the natives are fully mobilized to welcome visitors in their homes. Whence the very deep crowds that

will continue to cheer very madly Pope Francis thru the next four days.

The great Pope has turned himself into the right answer to the proliferation effect of sects, etc in Latin America. By insisting

on a poor Church for the poor, and on a fearless Church that goes beyond horizons and peripheries, the Pope has won

many hearts in Latin America. And his action will put all sects on a weak base as they particularly axe their message on

miracles, achieving wealth, etc.. things which now many over there begin to put in doubt as many have failed to win a miracle

or to become richer than before! And the light training of pastors in some of these churches is said to be a disadvantage

as the churches will lack a well-trained leadership to lead them correctly in a future that has many challenges!

The very brilliant Jesuit Pope is judged apt to help the Church in Latin America have the necessary tools to go on the frontline, and

one of those tools is the youth which Pope Francis has successfully mobilized for Rio, a very great world mega city which he has

brought to the boil!

Dr G.H. Kkolokolo  ( Paris / France ).