Tearful Pope Gives First Public Mass In Brazil

By Greg Milam, Sky Correspondent, in Rio de Janeiro

Pope Francis has urged Catholics to resist the "false idols" of money, power and pleasure and focus instead on the values of faith, generosity and fraternity.

The pontiff was speaking at the first public Mass of his trip to Brazil - the first overseas visit of his papacy - at one of the most important shrines in Latin America.

Thousands packed into the Basilica of the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida near Sao Paolo, with tens of thousands more braving the rain outside to catch a glimpse of the Pope.

Earlier in the day the Pope had appeared tearful

Before the Mass, Francis' eyes filled with tears as he stood in silent prayer before the 15-inch-tall (38cm) image of the Virgin of Aparecida - a potent symbol to all Brazilian Catholics.

His words called on young Catholics to learn the skills to build a better nation and world.

He told them: "I too come to knock on the door of the house of Mary - who loved and raised Jesus - that she may help all of us, pastors of God's people, parents and educators, to pass on to our young people the values that can help them build a nation and a world which are more just, united and fraternal."

Brazilians had been hopeful that the Pope would address some of the country's social inequalities that have led to violent protests on the streets in the last few weeks.

Francis has made a priority of reaching out to the world's poor and trying to inspire Catholic leaders to go to slums and other outposts to preach.

He is now due to visit a notorious favela shantytown before addressing one million pilgrims on Copacabana Beach.

The Church is struggling in Latin America to keep Catholics from straying to evangelical and Pentecostal churches that often promise help in finding material wealth, an alluring attraction in a poverty-wracked continent.

The Pope is in Brazil to join in with World Youth Day events, an effort by the Vatican to galvanise young Catholics at a time when many are disillusioned by the Church's continuing sexual and financial scandals.

His message of humility and rejection of the luxurious trappings used by papal predecessors has endeared him to many Catholics.

The 76-year-old pontiff was greeted by rapturous crowds on Monday, but there has been no repeat of the chaotic scenes surrounding his motorcade.

A huge security operation will remain in place throughout his visit.

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