World Youth Day 2013: The Pope Sets History and Embraces Favelas in Brazil

The first Latin American pope is shaking things up.

Calling All Young People - An estimated throng of 1 million young pilgrims braved cold rains to watch Pope Francis kick off his first World Youth Day event on Rio de Janeiro’s legendary Copacabana Beach. Marking its 14th year, the international, five-day Catholic festival focuses on religious faith and youth. Keep reading for a look at the first Latin American pope’s historic visit to Brazil, the world’s largest Catholic country. –Patrice Peck(Photo: AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

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Calling All Young People - An estimated throng of 1 million young pilgrims braved cold rains to watch Pope Francis kick off his first World Youth Day event on Rio de Janeiro’s legendary Copacabana Beach. Marking its 14th year, the international, five-day Catholic festival focuses on religious faith and youth. Keep reading for a look at the first Latin American pope’s historic visit to Brazil, the world’s largest Catholic country. –Patrice Peck(Photo: AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

Reflecting the Faithul - Devoted Catholics swarmed the streets, their reflections on display, as they waited for Pope Francis’ arrival at the Copacabana Beach. This year’s World Youth Day theme is “Go and make disciples of all people,” taken from the Gospel of Matthew.(Photo: REUTERS/Sergio Moraes)

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Reflecting the Faithul - Devoted Catholics swarmed the streets, their reflections on display, as they waited for Pope Francis’ arrival at the Copacabana Beach. This year’s World Youth Day theme is “Go and make disciples of all people,” taken from the Gospel of Matthew.(Photo: REUTERS/Sergio Moraes)

Rain or Shine - A massive crowd of faithful attendees gathered before an enormous altar during the inaugural Youth Day mass, despite cold, nighttime rain.(Photo: AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

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Rain or Shine - A massive crowd of faithful attendees gathered before an enormous altar during the inaugural Youth Day mass, despite cold, nighttime rain.(Photo: AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

Represent Your Country - Pilgrims from across the world showed their patriotic side at the inaugural mass. (Photo: AP Photo/Nicolas Tanner) 

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Represent Your Country - Pilgrims from across the world showed their patriotic side at the inaugural mass. (Photo: AP Photo/Nicolas Tanner) 

Performing for the Pope - A group of young people performed a skit for the pope as he watched on the mass stage at Copacabana Beach.(Photo: REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes)

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Performing for the Pope - A group of young people performed a skit for the pope as he watched on the mass stage at Copacabana Beach.(Photo: REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes)

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A Cross to Bear - Pilgrims from across the world showed their patriotic side at the inaugural mass. (Photo: AP Photo/Nicolas Tanner)

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A Cross to Bear - Pilgrims from across the world showed their patriotic side at the inaugural mass. (Photo: AP Photo/Nicolas Tanner)

Here Comes the Pope - A multitude of eager people lined the road to Varginha, anxious about possibly greeting  the pope as he arrived to meet with residents. (Photo: AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

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Here Comes the Pope - A multitude of eager people lined the road to Varginha, anxious about possibly greeting the pope as he arrived to meet with residents. (Photo: AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Dear Pope - Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Marcia Fudge has joined the chorus of lawmakers praising Pope Francis for his focus on income inequality. On Dec. 13, Fudge penned a letter to His Holiness. She applauded the pope for calling upon lawmakers "to look beyond the superficial approach to problem-solving and to dig deeper in addressing the real needs of people in our society."   (Photo: Luca Zennaro/AP Photo, Pool)

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"You Are Not Alone" - Despite recent protests throughout Brazil, Pope Francis evaded serious security measures to immerse himself in Brazil’s most violent and poorest favelas, or slums, to emphasize his mission to lead a “church for the poor.” “You are not alone,” he told the crowd. “The church is with you, the pope is with you.”(Photo: AP Photo/Luca Zennaro, Pool)

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A Young Pilgrim - A young well-wisher stands in mud along with other faithful to catch a glimpse of the pope.(Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images/ Mario Tama/Getty Images

Above It All - Argentine pilgrims raised statues of the Virgin Mary above their heads while they listened to the pope’s address in Varginha.(Photo: AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

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Above It All - Argentine pilgrims raised statues of the Virgin Mary above their heads while they listened to the pope’s address in Varginha.(Photo: AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis

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A Day of Faith for the Youth - Young people got in on the action during the pope’s tour of the Varginha favela.(Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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A Day of Faith for the Youth - Young people got in on the action during the pope’s tour of the Varginha favela.(Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Going to the "Gaza Strip" - The pope’s visit to the Varginha slum in Rio de Janeiro raised many eyebrows, considering that the favela’s violent history earned it the local nickname "The Gaza Strip."(Photo: AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

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Going to the "Gaza Strip" - The pope’s visit to the Varginha slum in Rio de Janeiro raised many eyebrows, considering that the favela’s violent history earned it the local nickname "The Gaza Strip."(Photo: AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

Confessions in the Park - Portable confessionals were set up in Quinta da Boa Vista park, where Catholics knelt to come clean.(Photo: AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

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Confessions in the Park - Portable confessionals were set up in Quinta da Boa Vista park, where Catholics knelt to come clean.(Photo: AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Hometown Glory - An Argentina native, the pope tweaked his schedule at the last minute to meet with Argentine pilgrims at Rio’s Metropolitan Cathedral.  He held an Argentine flag outside the cathedral to demonstrate his hometown pride. (Photo: AP Photo/Luca Zennaro, Pool)

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Hometown Glory - An Argentina native, the pope tweaked his schedule at the last minute to meet with Argentine pilgrims at Rio’s Metropolitan Cathedral. He held an Argentine flag outside the cathedral to demonstrate his hometown pride. (Photo: AP Photo/Luca Zennaro, Pool)