*Confronted with a shrinking following, Brazil’s Catholic Church faces a stiff Challenge in keeping its flock together. Seen as crucial to revitalising the faith, Pope Francis’ visit to the South American country a fortnight ago attracted millions. To many of his followers, his visit brought a resurgence of the faith. Herald Review brings you this special report*
GERARD DE SOUZA In RIO DE JANEIRO It was a little after sundown at the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Known for its swinging salsa lifestyle, Copacabana was now hosting crowds of a different kind. On the eve of the final Papal Mass of the World Youth Day celebrations in Brazil, the beach and all the roads and lanes that led to it were teeming with young pilgrims from all over the world. Amidst the chaos and confusion, an excited murmur ran through the crowd: “The pope is passing by.” Though few of us expected him to come by so early, given that the crowd was still thin, moments later there he was, Papa Francisco, as he is fondly called in Brazil, smiling bashfully, waving and showering us with blessings. With banners, flags and t- shirts waving back, the voices on the beach reached a crescendo. Some gasped, others shouted and yelled and some even wept as the Pope’s car moved slowly past the 4- km stretch of Copacabana beach. By the end of the drive, the backseat of the Pope’s car was piled up with flags, banners, t- shirts and soccer jerseys that the crowds tossed at him. It was apparent the Pope was here to reach out to the people that mattered most. He travelled in an unassuming Fiat ( like the Maruti, the Fiat is the common man’s car in Brazil) with its windows down. And he specifically asked to visit the Varginha favela ( slum), walking its cramped narrow lanes on foot, spontaneously entering people’s homes. Many were left weeping uncontrollably with joy. The Papa’s unscripted itinerary no doubt sent his already pared down security entourage into a tizzy. But by the end of the five day trip he had become the darling of the masses with rockstar popularity... Click here to read more... http://bygerarddsouza.blogspot.in/2013/08/in-rio-with-papa-francisco.html -- Keep Going Gerard de Souza Reporter: O Heraldo Joint Secretary: Goa Union of Journalists Ph 9765853312, 0832-2410815 email: [email protected] Blog: http://www.bygerarddsouza.blogspot.com Revora, Bardez, Goa 403513
