22 July, 2013: Pope Francis has left Rome for his 12 hour flight to Rio de Janeiro,
where he will attend the XXVIII World Youth Day. The Holy Father carried his own bag
onto the plane. Pope Francis will spend all but one day of his week-long journey in
the Brazilian city hosting the event. The one exception is on Wednesday, when he will
visit the Marian shrine in Aparecida.
Tweeting on his departure to Brazil
the Pope said “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.”