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Catholic World News News Feature

Pope begins voyage to Brazil [Updated] May 09, 2007

Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Brazil on Wednesday afternoon, May 8, announcing: "I extend my greetings to all the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean in the words of the Apostle: 'Peace to all of you who are in Christ.'"

The Holy Father was greeted at the Sao Paulo/Guarulhos airport by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva. After the short welcoming ceremony there-- held in an indoor facility at the airport because of a cold rain-- he was to continue by helicopter to the Campo de Marte air field outside the city, where he will again receive greetings from local public officials. From there the Pope will travel in an open car to the Sao Bento monastery, where he will be lodged during his stay in Sao Paulo. He is expected to make a brief appearance to address the public from a balcony there on Wednesday evening.

The Pope had left Rome on Wednesday morning, beginning his apostolic voyage. He arrived in Sao Paulo on schedule at 4:30 (local time) this afternoon.

The Holy Father left Rome's Fiumicino airport at 9 in the morning, boarding an Alitalia flight, in a Boeing 777, that took over 12 hours to cover a distance of nearly 6,000 miles.

During most of his stay in Brazil the Pope will deliver his public speeches in Portuguese, the national language. However on Sunday, when he opens the 5th general assembly of the Latin American bishops' conference, CELAM, he will speak in Spanish.

The Vatican delegation accompanying the Pontiff is composed of 31 people: 4 cardinals, 3 bishops, 5 priests, and 19 laymen. The cardinals making the trip are the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone; the prefect for the Congregation for Bishops, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re; the prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, Cardinal Claudio Hummes; and the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins.

Cardinals Re and Hummes will be acting as co-presidents for the CELAM meeting. Cardinal Hummes, a native of Brazil, will be traveling into very familiar territory; he is the former Archbishop of Sao Paulo.