The moon is pictured next to Christ the Redeemer statue ahead of the visit of Pope Francis in Rio de Janeiro July 21, 2013. The pontiff will arrive in Brazil on his first international trip as head of the Vatican on July 22.REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes
The moon is pictured next to Christ the Redeemer statue ahead of the visit of Pope Francis in Rio de Janeiro July 21, 2013. The pontiff will arrive in Brazil on his first international trip as head of the Vatican on July 22.REUTERS/Ricardo MoraesA view of the grandstand in preparation for the visit of Pope Francis on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro July 17, 2013. The main purpose of the trip is for the pope to preside at the Catholic Church's World Day of Youth. The pope's participation in World Youth Day events starts on the evening of July 25 in Rio's famed Copacabana Beach area and culminates with a huge open-air Mass in the Guaratiba area of the city on July 28.REUTERS/Sergio MoraesA Pope Francis sand sculpture is seen at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro July 18, 2013. World Youth Day festival features music concerts, exhibitions, dance, theatre, cinema activities, religious church tours as well as landmark visits.REUTERS/Sergio MoraesAccording to the official website of the organizing committee, more than 600 free activities will take place in various regions of Rio de Janeiro. Pictured: Artist Rogean Rodrigues paints his Pope Francis sand sculpture at the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro July 18, 2013.REUTERS/Ricardo MoraesLabourers assemble a grandstand in preparation for the visit of Pope Francis in Guaratiba neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro July 17, 2013.REUTERS/Ricardo MoraesCatholics carry the World Youth Day cross before a mass at the Sugar Loaf mountain in Rio de Janeiro July 17, 2013. The World Youth Day festival is expected to see a congregation of nearly two million young people from across the world.REUTERS/Ricardo MoraesAn aerial view of the residence of Sumare, where Pope Francis will stay during his visit, in Rio de Janeiro July 16, 2013.REUTERSButtons with pictures of Pope Francis are on sale in front of a cathedral, ahead of the 28th World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro July 21, 2013.REUTERS/Ueslei MarcelinoTourists pose for a photo in front of a Pope Francis sand sculpture at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro July 21, 2013. The Catholic Church's 28th World Day of Youth begins from July 23 and runs until July 28.REUTERS/Ricardo MoraesA Pope Francis sand sculpture is seen at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro July 21, 2013. Pope Francis will spend a week in Rio de Janeiro to preside over the Catholic Church's 28th World Day of Youth, a gathering sometimes dubbed the "Catholic Woodstock" and occurs in a different city every two years.REUTERS/Ricardo MoraesA banner with the Pope's photo is displayed on the field of the Maracana stadium before a soccer game between Brazilian teams Fluminense and Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro July 21, 2013. The banner reads: "Welcome".REUTERS/Pilar Olivares
Brazil is all set to welcome Pope Francis, who is visiting the country to attend the Roman Catholic Church's World Youth Day 2013 in Rio de Janerio. Click Slideshow to check out the photographs of preparations underway ahead of the festival and the Papal visit...
