Apostolic Journey to Brazil: Fifth General Conference of CELAM, 9-14 May 2007

Apostolic Journey to Brazil: Fifth General Conference of CELAM, 9-14 May 2007

Pope Benedict XVI

São Paulo-Guarulhas: Welcome Ceremony, 9 May
On his arrival at the Sao Paul-Guarulhas Airport, Wednesday, 9 May 2007, the Holy Father expressed his gratitude to the President and other dignitaries present for the warm welcome he had received. He encouraged the Catholic majority to "make a particular contribution to the common good of the nation."

São Paulo: Address, Monastery of São Bento, 9 May
In the evening of 9 May 2007, the Holy Father arrived at the Monastery of St. Benedict where he joined the Abbot, Rector and Benedictine monks of the community. After brief moments of prayer and greeting to the monks, Pope Benedict went out on the balcony of the first floor of the monastery and affectionately greeted and blessed the faithful present.

São Paulo: Address to Youth, 10 May
In the afternoon of Thursday 10 May 2007, the Holy Father traveled to the Paulo Machado de Carvalho Stadium in Pacaembu for an encounter with over 30,000 youth from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Honduras and Mexico. The theme of the encounter is: The Young: Disciple and Missionary of Christ. This address of the Holy Father was delivered in Portuguese.

São Paulo: Canonization Mass, 11 May
At the Mass and Canonization of Blesses Frei Antônio de Sant’Ana Galvão, in the Campo do Marte, São Paulo, Brazil, 11 May 2007, the Holy Father praised Brazil's first native-born Saint as a priest whose love "knew no bounds."

São Paulo: Meeting with Brazilian Bishops, 11 May
On Friday, 11 May 2007, the Holy Father addressed the Bishops of Brazil in the Catedral da Sé, São Paulo. He spoke of the "great ecclesial event" of the Fifth General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAM) and the need for a missionary outreach, "clearly marked by pastoral initiatives."

Guaratinguetá: Address,Poor Clare Sisters, 12 May
During his visit, 12 May 2007, to Fazenda da Esperança in Guaratinguetá, the Holy Father addressed greetings to the Poor Clares, praising them for their work of prayer and therapy in helping young people to break the chains of drug addiction.

Guaratinguetá: Fazenda da Esperança, 12 May
Here is an address the Holy Father gave during his visit Saturday, 12 May 2007, to Fazenda da Esperança in Guaratingueta, a rehabilitation center for young people with drug addictions. In return for this chance for physical and spiritual recovery, he encouraged the youth to become "Ambassadors of hope" to their friends.

Aparecida: Address to Clergy and Religious, 12 May
After a recitation of the Holy Rosary, Saturday, 12 May 2007, at the Basilica of the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, the Holy Father encouraged Priests, Deacons, Consecrated men and women, Seminarians and Christian families, to "remain in the school of Mary," to "preserve in their hearts the enlightenment she sends from on high."

Aparecida: Holy Mass, Shrine of Aparecida, 13 May
The Holy Father gave the following homily at the Mass inaugurating the Fifth General Conference of the Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAM), National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aparecida, Brazil, at 13 May 2007. On evangelization, the Pope observed that the Church grows by "attraction," not by proselytism.

Aparecida: Regina Caeli, 13 May
Following the inaugural Mass of CELAM and before the Regina Coeli, the Holy Father addressed these words to the faithful, at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aparecida, Brazil, 13 May 2007. He reminded them that this was the 90th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima.

Aparecida: 13 May, Fifth General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the Caribbean
In his discourse to the inaugural session of the Fifth General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAM), Sanctuary of Aparecida, Brazil, 13 May 2007, the Holy Father recalled the Christian history of Latin America and addressed the desire of some to return to the continent's pre-Columbian past.

São Paulo-Guarulhos: Farewell Ceremony, 13 May
The Holy Father concluded his Apostolic Journey to Brazil, Sunday, 13 May 2007, by addressing his thanks to Jose Alencar Gomes da Silva, vice-president of the Federal Republic of Brazil, and other religious and civil authorities, at the International Airport of São Paulo/Guarulhos.