Hundreds of thousands of young people who slept under chilly skies in the white sand of Copacabana beach are waking up in eager anticipation of Pope Francis' final Mass for World Youth Day.
The major of Rio de Janeiro estimates some 3 million people would turn up for Sunday's Mass, the
culmination of Francis' first international trip and an emotional homecoming for the first Latin American pope.
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Pilgrims staked out spots on the sand of Copacabana beach for an all-night slumber party ahead of the final Mass of Pope Francis' stay in Brazil, a trip that has drawn rapturous crowds of up to 3 million faithful.
Francis headed into the final hours of his first international trip riding a remarkable wave of popularity: By the time his open-sided car reached the stage for the vigil service Saturday night, the back seat was piled high with soccer jerseys, flags and flowers tossed to him by adoring pilgrims lining the beachfront route.
"I'm trembling, look how good you can see him!" gushed Fiorella Dias, a 16-year-old Brazilian who jumped for joy as she reviewed the video she shot as the pope passed by. "I have got to call my mother!"
The vigil drew a reported 3 million flag-waving, rosary-toting faithful, who overflowed Copacabana beach's 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of white sand on the final evening of World Youth Day. The attendance figure, given by local media citing the mayor's office, is higher than the 1 million at the last World Youth Day vigil in Madrid in 2011, and far more than the 650,000 at Toronto's 2002 vigil.
Many of those watching the vigil had tears in their eyes as they listened to Francis' call for them to build up their church like his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, was called to do.
"Jesus offers us something bigger than the World Cup!" Francis said, drawing cheers from the crowd in this soccer-mad nation.
On the beach, pilgrims staked out their spots on the sand, lounged and snacked, preparing for the all-night slumber party ahead of Sunday's Mass. Francis leaves Brazil Sunday evening.
"At church, it can be a bit tedious, but here it's amazing," marveled Anna Samson, a 21-year-old college senior from Long Beach, California.
"Seeing the pope, seeing the Stations of the Cross acted out live, seeing all these young people from all over," she said as she and two friends plied the beach in search of a place to spread their sleeping bags. "It's overwhelming, just amazing."
culmination of Francis' first international trip and an emotional homecoming for the first Latin American pope.This is hope folks. Tangible, visible hope.
Carry on.
