Pope In Brazil: Thousands Mob Pontiff's Car

Thousands of Brazilians mobbed the Pope's car after his driver went the wrong way down a street in Rio de Janeiro.

Rio Transportation Secretary Carlos Osorio said the Fiat that Francis was riding in from the airport to the city centre turned into the wrong side of a 12-lane road, known as Avenida Presidente Vargas.

Instead of taking the left lanes that were free of traffic, the car turned into the right lanes cluttered with buses and taxis, forcing the Pontiff's car to stop, he said.

Thousands who had lined the streets then rushed the car, reaching into the Pope's open window, many taking photos of him.

His secretary was not happy during the incident

Vatican spokesman, the Reverend Federico Lombardi, acknowledged that the Pope's motorcade took a wrong turn but said the pontiff was never concerned for his safety, even if his secretary who was sitting with him in the car was.

"His secretary was afraid, but the Pope was happy, with his hand out the window waving," Rev Lombardi said.

"There are no concerns for security. The concerns are that the enthusiasm is so great that it's difficult to respond to so much enthusiasm for the Pope. But there is no fear and no concern."

The Pope later toured round the main streets In Rio

Pope Francis, who is on a seven-day trip to his home continent, then switched to an open-air Popemobile as he toured around the main streets in downtown Rio.

At the official welcoming ceremony later, Pope Francis said he had come "to meet young people from all over the world" attracted by the messages of Jesus.

During his stay, the 76-year-old will meet with young Catholics converging for the church's World Youth Festival in Rio.

Police fire rubber bullets at protesters

More than one million people are expected to pack the white sands of Copacabana for ceremonies presided over by Pope Francis. He will also visit a tiny chapel in a slum and make a side trip to venerate Brazil's patron saint, Our Lady of Aparecida.

Police and anti-government protesters earlier clashed outside the palace hosting the Pope's welcoming ceremony.

About an hour after the pope concluded his short speech, police began cracking down on the protests, firing rubber bullets in an effort to disperse the crowd.

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