Pope Francis to visit Brazil in JulyMarch 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 Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Greece says ready to help as Armenia fights flooding consequences Greece is ready to assist Armenia in combatting the consequences of deadly floods in the country’s north. “He will leave”: Protest leader no longer demands meeting with Pashinyan Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan no longer demands a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. |