Pope Francis arrives in Brazil

Pope Francis waves to the crowd after departing the Metropolitan Cathedral in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 22, 2013.

More than 1.5 million pilgrims are expected to join Pope Francis for his visit to the Catholic Church's World Youth Day celebrations.

Read more: Pope Francis greeted by frenzied crowds in Brazil

Young pilgrims attend Mass at opening ceremonies for World Youth Day while watching a live video broadcast of the ceremonies on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 23, 2013.

Nuns from the Irmas Dominicanas Do Santissimo Sacramento in Sao Paulo, Brazil, wear rain gear as one nun (C) prepares to don a Brazilian flag on Copacabana Beach as they await opening ceremonies for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, July 23, 2013.

Roberto Stuckert Filho/Brazil Presidential Press Office/AP

Pope Francis meets with Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff during his welcome ceremony at Guanabara Palace in Rio de Janeiro, July 22, 2013.

It is the first time the Argentine-born Francis returned to his home continent since his selection as pope in March.

Pilgrims wait under the rain for the arrival of Pope Francis outside the Aparecida basilica in Aparecida, Brazil, July 24, 2013. Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the Americas, will fly over farmland and sugar cane fields to visit the mammoth basilica that holds the statue of this particular Brazilian Mary.

A member of the clergy takes a picture near a newly constructed altar on Copacabana beach, where pilgrims gathered for the World Youth Day inaugural Mass in Rio de Janeiro, July 23, 2013.

Pope Francis waves to the crowd while departing the Metropolitan Cathedral in in Rio de Janeiro, July 22, 2013.

The shadow of the World Youth Day cross is cast on a screen on the altar during the WYD inaugural Mass at Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro, July 23, 2013.

Pope Francis kisses a child after departing the Metropolitan Cathedral in Rio de Janeiro, July 22, 2013.

Pilgrims holding Paraguayan banners attend the World Youth Day inaugural Mass on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, July 23, 2013.

Youth from France participating in World Youth Day sing songs below Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, July 23, 2013.

Pope Francis waves to the crowd after departing the Metropolitan Cathedral in Rio de Janeiro, July 22, 2013.

A cross is illuminated on a building near Copacabana beach where pilgrims gathered for the World Youth Day inaugural Mass in Rio de Janeiro, July 23, 2013.

Pope Francis waves to the crowd after departing the Metropolitan Cathedral in Rio de Janeiro, July 22, 2013.

People wait outside the Metropolitan Cathedral for the arrival of Pope Francis in Rio de Janeiro, July 22, 2013.

People wave to Pope Francis riding through Rio de Janeiro, July 22, 2013.

Pope Francis waves to the crowd while departing the Metropolitan Cathedral in Rio de Janeiro, July 22, 2013.

A member of security holds up a baby to Pope Francis as he visits central Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 22, 2013.

People wait outside the Metropolitan Cathedral for the arrival of Pope Francis in Rio de Janeiro, July 22, 2013.

Pope Francis waves to the crowd while departing the Metropolitan Cathedral in Rio de Janeiro, July 22, 2013.

Pope Francis waves to the crowd in Rio de Janeiro, July 22, 2013.