Fears of Protests in Rio Force Changes in Pope's Itinerary

07/17/2013 - 10h42

With less than a week to go before the arrival of Pope Francis in Brazil for World Youth Day, talks are underway regarding changes to his planned itinerary. The changes have been proposed as a result of concerns for the Pontiff's security, amid the possibility of further demonstrations on the streets of Rio during the event.

Those responsible for the Pope's protection in Brazil - ABIN (Brazilian Intelligence Agency), the Army and Federal Police - are in discussions with the Vatican team to determinate how best to guarantee security for the official delegation, as well as for the pilgrims who will be in the city for the event, which runs from the 23rd to the 28th of July.

The principal alteration concerns the welcoming ceremony for Pope Francis, scheduled for 5pm in the Guanabara Palace, headquarters of the state government of Rio de Janeiro. The Pope is due to be received by the state governor Sérgio Cabral and the city mayor Eduardo Paes, and is also scheduled to meet privately with President Dilma Rousseff.

The palace is the target of several protests and a demonstration against government spending on the Catholic mega-event, which has been using social networking to call together participants. One of the options being looked into for the reception is the Galeão Air Base where the Pope will arrive.

The reception for businessmen, politicians and civil society representatives, for example, scheduled for the Theatro Municipal in the city center, will depend on the people's welcome at the start of the journey.

Despite the tension arising from the possibility of further street demonstrations, the Vatican is keen to avoid the spectacle of a large military operation surrounding the Pope. His security will be limited to policemen armed with pistols in the vehicles alongside his own.

City Mayor Eduardo Paes also expressed concern with the mobility and dispersion of the public. More than 5 million people are expected within the city, which will receive about 800,000 tourists for World Youth Day.

"It is all very worrying," he said. . "Imagine, it's as if Copacabana had Christmas and two New Year's Eve parties at the same time. If that weren't enough, it's as if Guaratiba [the site of the campus in the west of the city where Pope Francis will preside over vigils and mass on the 27th and 28th of July] had another New Year's Eve."

Translated by STEVE HUGHES and TOM GATEHOUSE

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