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.
The World Youth Day cross is carried up to the stage before the arrival of Pope Francis on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro July 25. Hundreds of thousands of Catholic young people were on the beach awaiting the pope for his official World Youth Day welcoming.
Photo: CNS photo / Sergio Moraes, Reuters