SÃO PAULO, Brazil, MAY 10, 2007 (Zenit.org).- On the first full day of his apostolic trip to South America, Benedict XVI paid a courtesy visit to the president of Brazil,
After celebrating Mass in private this morning, the Pope met with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at 11 a.m.
An ecumenical meeting and a discourse with youth completed the main activities of the Pope's day in Brazil. The Holy Father arrived to the South American country on Wednesday for the apostolic trip that will include the opening of the 5th General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the Caribbean.
On Friday, Benedict XVI will start off the day with a "popemobile" tour among the faithful. He is set to canonize the first Brazilian-born saint during a 9:30 a.m. Mass in São Paulo.
After taking leave of his hosts at the Monastery of St. Benedict, the Holy Father will go to the cathedral to pray vespers at 4 p.m. with Brazilian bishops.
In the early evening, he will travel by helicopter to the southeastern city of Aparecida, where the 5th General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the Caribbean will take place.
The Pope will open that conference on Sunday.
Code: ZE07051008
Date: 2007-05-10