Pope Francis, the 76-year-old Argentine who became the churchs first pontiff from the Americas in March, returns to the embrace of Latin America to preside over the Roman Catholic Churchs World Youth Day festival. During his flight from Rome, Francis warned about youth unemployment in some countries in the double digits, telling about 70 journalists aboard the papal plane that there is a risk of having a generation that hasnt worked. He said, Young people at this moment are in crisis.
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A member of the security detail holds up a baby to Pope Francis as he makes his way in the popemobile into central Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, July 22, 2013. The pontiff arrived for a seven-day visit in Brazil, the worlds most populous Roman Catholic nation.
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Pope Francis deplanes upon his arrival at the international airport in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, July 22, 2013. During his seven-day visit, Francis will meet with legions of young Roman Catholics converging on Rio for the churchs World Youth Day festival.
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People reach out to Pope Francis as he rides in a popemobile through Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, July 22, 2013. Pope Francis returned to his home continent for the first time as pontiff, embarking on a visit meant to fan the fervor of the faithful around the globe.
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A Venezuelan waves her countrys flag as she waits for the arrival of Pope Francis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, July 22, 2013. Frenzied crowds of Roman Catholics lined the streets to see Francis on Monday when he returned to his home continent for the first time as pontiff.
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Keeping to his example that the Catholic church must be humble, Francis carried his own black hand luggage. He even kept holding it with his left hand while he used his left to shake hands with some of the VIPs who turned out to wish him well.
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Pope Francis speaks during a welcome ceremony at Guanabara Palace in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, July 22, 2013.
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Pope Francis shares a word with Brazils President Dilma Rousseff during a welcome ceremony at Guanabara Palace.
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Youth from France participating in World Youth Day sing songs below Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, July 23, 2013. The pope is here on a seven-day visit meant to fan the fervor of the faithful around the globe.
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