Millions of young people gathered in Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day in July. It was Pope Francis' first international trip. By all accounts the event was joyous, spirit-filled and peppered with poignant words and gestures from the pontiff.
Pope Francis embraces a patient at St. Francis of Assisi Hospital in Rio de Janeiro July 24. The pope addressed a group of recovering drug addicts, offering them a message of compassion and hope as well as a call to self-determination.
Photo: CNS photo / Reuters