Clergy attend a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis on the Copacabana beachfront, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, July 28, 2013. Francis wrapped up a historic trip to his home continent Sunday with a Mass that drew a reported 3 million people.RIO DE JANEIRO – An estimated 3 million people poured onto Rio’s Copacabana beach Sunday for the final Mass of Pope Francis’ historic trip to his home continent, cheering the first Latin American pope in one of the biggest turnouts for a papal Mass in recent history.
Speaking from a white stage and looking out over the enormous crowd, Francis urged young Catholics to go out and spread their faith “to the fringes of society, even to those who seem farthest away, most indifferent.”
“The church needs you, your enthusiasm, your creativity and the joy that is so characteristic of you!” he said to applause in his final homily of the World Youth Day festivities.
Later Sunday, he issued a more pointed message to the region’s bishops, telling them to better look out for their flocks and put an end to the “clerical” culture that places priests on a pedestal – often with what Francis called the “sinful complicity” of lay Catholics who hold the clergy in such high esteem.
The pope’s trip, which ended Sunday, was hailed as a success by the Vatican, pilgrims and everyday Brazilians alike. His nonstop agenda was followed live on television for all seven days, his good nature and modesty charming a nation that counts more Catholics than any other.