Brazil prepares for possible general strike

(Vatican Radio) A variety of industries in Brazil are planning a general strike on for tomorrow, the latest in a series of protests which erupted last month after a rise in bus, train, and metro ticket prices.

The demonstrations grew over the high level of taxation and poor provision of social services in the country, especially in light of the large expenditures being laid out for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.

Pope Francis will be visiting Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day later this month, and officials say the protests should not affect his trip.

“These are young people whose focus is not on political issues, but is on love, charity, justice, who really want to be a blessing on the world,” said Bishop Donal McKeown, Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor, and leader of the Irish delegation to World Youth Day.

Bishop McKeown is a veteran of several World Youth Days, and said it will have a special effect on the country.

“It will be a wonderful chance.. for people across Latin America …to come together in a real fiesta to celebrate a God who has wonderful faith in human beings despite the mess we make of the world,” he said.

Listen to interview by Charles Collins with Bishop McKeown: