Pope Francis's final mass in Brazil 'attended by 3m'

[Judi Lynn]

Pope Francis's final mass in Brazil 'attended by 3m'

Pontiff wraps up first overseas trip as head of Catholic church with address to worshippers on Copacabana beach in Rio

Jonathan Watts in Rio de Janeiro
The Guardian, Sunday 28 July 2013 13.52 EDT

Pope Francis wrapped up a triumphant first overseas trip as pontiff with a Sunday mass on Copacabana beach attended by three million worshippers, according to Rio authorities' estimates.

In the evangelical, simple and radical style that has characterised his week-long visit to Brazil, Francis made an appeal to pilgrims to return to their home countries and revitalise the Catholic church.

He urged followers to be more active in their faith by reach out to "to the fringes of society, even to those who seem farthest away, most indifferent".

"The church needs you, your enthusiasm, your creativity and the joy that is so characteristic of you," he told the vast throng, hundreds of thousands of whom had slept overnight on the 4km-long beach.

More:http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/28/pope-frances-rio-brazil-millions

[Faygo Kid]

1. I kind of like this guy, even if I don't agree with his politics.

He seems willing to afflict the comfortable, unlike his predecessor. But, too much baggage on other issues to truly respect him.

Still, he's a step up.