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Pope to laud Brazil's first saint Pope to laud Brazil's first saint
(10 minutes later)
Up to one million people are set to gather in Brazil to watch Pope Benedict XVI canonise the country's first home-born saint, Friar Galvao.Up to one million people are set to gather in Brazil to watch Pope Benedict XVI canonise the country's first home-born saint, Friar Galvao.
The open-air mass at an airfield in Sao Paulo marks the highlight of the Pope's first visit to Brazil, the world's most populous Catholic nation.The open-air mass at an airfield in Sao Paulo marks the highlight of the Pope's first visit to Brazil, the world's most populous Catholic nation.
On Thursday, the Pope told thousands of young Catholics at a rally to avoid the "evil" of abortion and to stay chaste.On Thursday, the Pope told thousands of young Catholics at a rally to avoid the "evil" of abortion and to stay chaste.
Friar Galvao, an 18th Century monk, is still a hugely influential figure.Friar Galvao, an 18th Century monk, is still a hugely influential figure.
He is best remembered for producing Latin prayers written on tiny balls of paper that, when swallowed, had the apparent effect of curing a range of ailments.He is best remembered for producing Latin prayers written on tiny balls of paper that, when swallowed, had the apparent effect of curing a range of ailments.
FRIAR GALVAO Brazil's first native-born saintLived from 1739 to 1822Credited by church with 5,000 miracle curesFounded monasteries and convents in Brazil Pope visit: Reporter's diary In pictures: Pope in BrazilFRIAR GALVAO Brazil's first native-born saintLived from 1739 to 1822Credited by church with 5,000 miracle curesFounded monasteries and convents in Brazil Pope visit: Reporter's diary In pictures: Pope in Brazil
To this day, his followers gather at a Sao Paulo monastery to receive similar balls of paper inscribed with prayers.To this day, his followers gather at a Sao Paulo monastery to receive similar balls of paper inscribed with prayers.
Later on Friday, the Pope will meet some 430 Brazilian bishops at a Sao Paulo cathedral.Later on Friday, the Pope will meet some 430 Brazilian bishops at a Sao Paulo cathedral.
On Sunday, a crowd of at least 350,000 is expected to attend a mass in Aparecida, where the Pope will also take part in a conference of Latin American bishops.On Sunday, a crowd of at least 350,000 is expected to attend a mass in Aparecida, where the Pope will also take part in a conference of Latin American bishops.
The forum, the first for 15 years, will bring together nearly 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 forum, the first for 15 years, will bring together nearly 200 bishops and cardinals from across Latin America and the Caribbean to set out the Church's agenda and future policies in the region.
'Sheep without a shepherd''Sheep without a shepherd'
On Thursday, the Pope received a rapturous reception from an audience of thousands of young people gathered at a Sao Paulo stadium.On Thursday, the Pope received a rapturous reception from an audience of thousands of young people gathered at a Sao Paulo stadium.
His speech focused on what he called the "snares of evil" - pre-marital sex, drug use, corruption, violence and the temptations of wealth and power.His speech focused on what he called the "snares of evil" - pre-marital sex, drug use, corruption, violence and the temptations of wealth and power.
He urged the young to avoid these and asked them to "be promoters of life, from its beginning to its natural end". HAVE YOUR SAY I hope Pope Benedict XVI can help to resurrect our Brazilian Catholic identity Philippe Gebara, Rio de Janeiro class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6269&edition=1">Send us your comments He urged the young to avoid these and asked them to "be promoters of life, from its beginning to its natural end".
As he took to the stage, some in the crowd chanted, "yes to life, no to abortion".As he took to the stage, some in the crowd chanted, "yes to life, no to abortion".
The Pope is visiting Brazil at a time when the Roman Catholic church is losing adherents to evangelical churches.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."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.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.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 CityShortly 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.However, at a meeting with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva earlier on Thursday, abortion was not mentioned.
President Lula has made it clear that he regards abortion as a public health rather than a moral issue.President 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.