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Pope's message for Brazil's youth Pope gives Brazil family message
(about 4 hours later)
Pope Benedict XVI is addressing tens of thousands of Brazilians in a ceremony for young people being held at a football stadium in Sao Paulo. Pope Benedict XVI has urged young Catholics to resist the "snares of evil" and to promote life "from its beginning to its natural end".
The Pope is speaking about "youth, disciples and missionaries of Jesus". The Pope was speaking to a rally of about 40,000 young Catholics at a football stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
About 41,000 people were invited to the Pacaembu stadium but officials expected 100,000 more to gather outside. He used his speech to reinforce traditional Roman Catholic teachings against abortion and pre-marital sex.
On the second day of his visit to the world's biggest Catholic country, the Pope also held a private meeting with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Pope Benedict is making his first visit to Brazil, the world's biggest Catholic country, since taking office.
Despite the Vatican's desire to address the divisive issue of abortion, it was not on the agenda of the talks. The Pope entered Pacaembu stadium to a popstar's welcome from his young audience, says the BBC's Gary Duffy in Sao Paulo.
"There was not a word about abortion or condoms," Brazil's ambassador to the Vatican, Vera Machado, told reporters after the meeting. He seemed to enjoy the experience as much as they did, says our correspondent.
Open-air Masses Papal warnings
At the start of his five-day visit, the Pope sparked controversy by stressing his strong opposition to abortion, the subject of intense debate in the country. Catholics from across Latin America crowded the stadium and thousands more listened to his speech from outside.
Some Brazilians are currently pushing for the legalisation of terminations. Before Pope Benedict took to the stage, some of the young people in the crowd chanted "yes to life, no to abortion".
"Be promoters of life, from its beginning to its natural end," the Pope said.
He warned of the traps of drug use, corruption, violence and the temptations of wealth and power.
"Seek to resist forcefully the snares of evil that are found in many contexts," he said.
POPE'S ITINERARY 10 May: Meets Brazilian President Lula in Sao Paulo, then Church leaders and young people11 May: Pope leads prayers around Sao Paulo13 May: Prayers and address to open Latin American bishops' conference at Aparecida Pope visit: Reporter's diary Pope visit: Diary Day Two In pictures: Pope in BrazilPOPE'S ITINERARY 10 May: Meets Brazilian President Lula in Sao Paulo, then Church leaders and young people11 May: Pope leads prayers around Sao Paulo13 May: Prayers and address to open Latin American bishops' conference at Aparecida Pope visit: Reporter's diary Pope visit: Diary Day Two In pictures: Pope in Brazil
The Pope is visiting Brazil at a time when the Roman Catholic church is losing adherents to evangelical churches.
"I send you out, therefore, on the great mission of evangelising young men and women who have gone astray in this world like sheep without a shepherd," he said.
The Pope has already sparked controversy on his five-day visit to Brazil by stressing his strong opposition to abortion, the subject of intense debate in the country.
Some Brazilians are currently pushing for the legalisation of terminations.
Shortly after the Pope's arrival in Brazil, he condemned a move to decriminalise the practice in Mexico City
However, at a meeting with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva earlier on Thursday, abortion was not mentioned.
Mr Lula has made it clear that he regards abortion as a public health rather than a moral issue.Mr Lula has made it clear that he regards abortion as a public health rather than a moral issue.
The World Health Organisation estimates that illegal abortions numbered more than a million in Brazil last year alone.The World Health Organisation estimates that illegal abortions numbered more than a million in Brazil last year alone.
The BBC's David Willey, travelling with the Pope, said the two leaders were world's apart on the emotional question of whether abortion should be legalised. Native-born saint
Scheduled for later this week, the Pope's first open-air Mass at Sao Paulo's Campo de Marte airport on Friday is expected to attract one million people. An open-air Mass at Sao Paulo's Campo de Marte airport on Friday is expected to attract one million people.
He will canonise Brother Antonio Galvao, Brazil's first native-born saint, at the ceremony. The Pope will canonise Brother Antonio Galvao, Brazil's first native-born saint, at the ceremony.
A smaller crowd of at least 350,000 is likely to attend the second Mass on Sunday in Aparecida, where the Pope will also attend a conference of Latin American bishops.A smaller crowd of at least 350,000 is likely to attend the second Mass on Sunday in Aparecida, where the Pope will also attend a conference of Latin American bishops.
The first such forum for 15 years will bring together almost 200 bishops and cardinals from across Latin America and the Caribbean to set out the Church's agenda and future policies in the region.The first such forum for 15 years will bring together almost 200 bishops and cardinals from across Latin America and the Caribbean to set out the Church's agenda and future policies in the region.
Social policies
During Pope Benedict's meeting with the Brazilian President, Mr Lula asked the pontiff to help him spread Brazil's social policies around the world.
But they did not discuss abortion, which has become one of the main focal points of the Pope's visit to the country.
Shortly after being greeted by the president at Sao Paulo's airport on Wednesday, Pope Benedict stressed the need to respect life "from the moment of conception until natural death".
He also told journalists that politicians and medical workers who supported abortions in Mexico City, should "exclude themselves from Communion".
Brazil's Health Minister, Jose Gomes Temperao, is adamant that the Church should not interfere in Brazil's abortion debate.
"You can't impose the precepts and dogma of a particular religion on an entire society," Mr Temperao said on Wednesday.
"Church and state have been separate in Brazil for centuries," he said.