Pope Francis in Brazil

Pope Francis left Rome on Monday morning (22.07.2013). He brought along 70 journalists. En route to Rio, he joked with some of them, saying "God is already Brazilian. Do you also want a Brazilian pope?"

On Monday evening, Pope Francis made it to Rio de Janeiro. He is expected to stay in Rio until Sunday (28.07.2013), when this year's World Youth Day is scheduled to end. It's his first official trip abroad after he became head of the Catholic Church on March 13.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff greeted the pontiff at Rio's international airport. Representatives from civil, religious and military organizations greeted him as well and eagerly wanted to take pictures with him. After a while, he drove off to Rio's city center in a small compact car.

Right before he was about to reach Rio's cathedral, the pope was stopped several times. Crowds of people had flocked to the streets to greet him. They all tried to get a good look at the pope, and some of them also tried to touch him.

Francis decided to take a detour to Rio's city center. He refused to use the bulletproof popemobile and chose an open car to be closer to the people and to interact with them.

Later at the Guanabara government palace, the pope met with Rio's major Eduardo Paes, Governor Sergio Cabral and President Dilma Rousseff. In his speech, which he gave in Portuguese, he asked to intensify efforts to help youths.

Rousseff didn't come empty-handed: She brought along a painting of Rio's famous statue of Jesus Christ and a sculpture portraying St Francis of Assisi.

Demonstrators and police clashed during protests directed at high costs in light of the pope's visit. According to official reports, one police officer was injured; the police used tear gas and batons on protesters.

Nine people were arrested, at least four were injured. The World Youth Day team had already been worried about violence long before Pope Francis set foot in the country.

Some two million believers are expected to come to Rio from all over the world to take part in this year's World Youth Day. Brazil, the country with the highest number of Catholics, is thrilled.