Pope Francis to visit Brazil in July March 25, 2013 - 09:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Pope Francis, the Catholic Church's first Latin American leader, has announced in his Palm Sunday homily he will visit Brazil in July, BBC News reported. He will attend a Catholic youth gathering in Rio de Janeiro, saying Mass on Copacabana beach and praying at the Christ the Redeemer statue. The Pope spoke in St Peter's Square as Holy Week, the most important period in the Christian calendar, began. Thousands of people waved olive branches and palm fronds in the crowd. The gesture commemorates palm branches which, according to the Bible, were laid in the path of Jesus Christ when he made his entry on a donkey into Jerusalem before his crucifixion. Pope Francis departed frequently from the prepared text of his homily. The Catholic youth festival is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of young pilgrims from around the world. Towards the end of his homily, the pontiff said: "I look forward joyfully to next July in Rio de Janeiro. I will see you in that great city in Brazil." The gathering in Rio would, he said, be a "sign of faith for the whole world".   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty  Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza.Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations.Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |
