Friday, July 26, 2013

Pope Draws 1.5M Catholics at Copacabana Beach; Urges Cath. to Put Jesus at Center of Their Lives

Some 1.5 million of Brazil's Catholics braved the cold and rain yesterday to hear Pope Francis speak at Copacabana beach for World Youth Day, the France 24 website reports today (July 26, 2013).

A teeming swathe of young Catholics joined dancers swaying to samba beats on Copacabana for World Youth Day, braving cold rain and wind to cheer the Argentine-born pope who has championed a "poor Church for the poor."

"I always heard that Cariocas (Rio residents) didn't like cold and rain. Your faith is stronger than cold and rain," the pope said as he was treated to religious choirs, samba songs, and dance routines. Pope Francis repeated a theme of his week-long visit, urging young Catholics to shun the trappings of materialism and put Jesus Christ at the center of their lives.

"Possessions, money and power can give a momentary thrill, the illusion of being happy, but they end up possessing us and making us always want to have more, never satisfied," he said.

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