Pope Francis declines a hat presented by a boy as he arrives for a general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican last month. At outdoor events the pope has been encouraging children and parents to wear hats and sunscreen. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While Pope Francis’ July 22-28 visit to Brazil has been planned almost down to the minute, the papal spokesman is certain it will be “a bit of an adventure.”
The main events of World Youth Day are the same as they have been for years, but Pope Francis “is full of surprises,” said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi.
Briefing journalists July 17 about what to expect in Brazil, Father Lombardi had a thick red-bound tome of Mass texts and other prayers, the pope’s official schedule as released May 7 and a more detailed schedule complete with little icons of airplanes, cars, helicopters, popemobiles and a liturgically vested walking pope.
The icons provide a quick visual clue as to how the pope will move. For example, the little car illustrates his arrival July 25 at the Varginha sector of the Manguinhos complex of slums. He’ll begin in the neighborhood church (there’s an icon for that), then walk along the neighborhood streets. He is likely to encounter a family and visit their home. Then he will continue walking to the soccer field, where he will address the entire community.