- Title: POPE-LATAM/ECUADOR-MORNING Thousands of devotees arrive for Francis's Quito Mass
- Date: 7th July 2015
- Summary: QUITO, ECUADOR (JULY 7, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF THOUSANDS OF ECUADOREANS CAMPING OUT OVERNIGHT TO HEAR MASS FROM POPE FRANCIS IN BICENTENARIO PARK OLD LADY WITH RED BLANKET ON HEAD VARIOUS OF SECURITY AND FIRST RESPONDERS ON HAND FOR EVENT CROSS ON GROUNDS WIDE OF SCENE OF WHERE MASS WILL BE HELD WIDE OF MOUNTAINOUS AREA WHERE MASS WILL BE HELD VARIOUS OF THOUSANDS ARRI
- Embargoed: 22nd July 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Ecuador
- Country: Ecuador
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAE8XS0I0CPXXNWANIS2LA2SZBX
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Thousands of pilgrims braved wind and rain to camp out overnight for a Mass to be given by Pope Francis on Tuesday (July 7) in Ecuador's highland capital Quito for an expected million people.
Political protests had been rocking the socialist-ruled nation of 15 million people prior to the pontiff's arrival, but his presence has brought a temporary halt to demonstrations.
Francis is visiting three of the smallest and poorest nations during a week-long tour of his native South America.
At the Bicentenario Park, a former airport where he was due to give Mass mid-morning, some bedraggled faithful camped out for two nights in the extremes of Andean weather - torrential rain, biting wind and blazing sun.
For some, it became too much and at least one fight broke out as people attempted to push in.
But it was the particulars of Francis's persona that drew in many parishioners to the event.
"It's more than anything, his charisma, and his spirituality. You feel it when he lifts his head, and he just shines," said one devotee on hand, Andrea Valdivieso.
Others were there to mark the unique moment in the South American country.
"I am excited that the day of faith has arrived. I come happy, with excitement and hoping for the best on this day," said attendee, Andres Nivelo.
Hawkers walked up and down the lines selling wooden crosses, flags and t-shirts made especially for the trip as well as food and drink. Many used umbrellas to shield themselves both from the downpours and blazing sun when the rain cleared.
Argentine-born Francis spent most of Monday in the coastal city of Guayaquil, delivering a Mass to some 800,000 people before going to a Jesuit-run school to visit a friend he had not seen for three decades.
In the evening, Francis flew back to Quito and met with leftist President Rafael Correa at the presidential palace, specially adorned with 120,000 roses, before blessing those gathered in the square below.
Recent protests over tax hikes have marred the visit somewhat for Correa, though demonstrators declared a moratorium during the trip as a mark of respect.
The Pope flies on Wednesday to La Paz, Bolivia, another highland city where oxygen tanks are kept at the airport for arriving passengers who may struggle with the thin air.
That will focus attention on the 78-year-old pope's health as he had part of one lung removed when he was younger after a serious infection.
In Bolivia, Francis is to visit a notoriously violent prison before going to Paraguay where he will meet with social activists. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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