A group in Rio de Janeiro is expected
to protest Pope Francis' stance on gay rights with a kiss-in.
Francis on Monday will arrive in
Brazil, where he will be participating in World Youth Day, a weeklong
event that celebrates the contributions of young Roman Catholics.
“I am arriving in Brazil in a few
hours and my heart is already full of joy because soon I will be with
you to celebrate the 28th WYD,” Francis tweeted.
An estimated 400,000 pilgrims from
around the world have registered for the event. However, additional
crowds are expected at events which are open to the public.
Speaking to reporters aboard his
flight, the pope said he was troubled by youth unemployment.
“The global crisis has brought
nothing good to young people,” he said. “I saw the data on youth
unemployment last week. We run the risk of having a generation
without work.”
Activists
said they were organizing a so-called “beijaco,” a
demonstration at which gay couples share a kiss on the lips, to take
place Monday
along the papal motorcade's route. Other media reported that the
protest will take place during the pope's speech Thursday on
Copacabana beach.
Francis left the Vatican just as an
Italian weekly magazine accused the newly appointed “prelate” of
the Vatican “bank” of being gay.
(Related: Gay
scandal rocks Vatican.)