The Pope leaving the Alitalia plane that took him to Brazil
Pope Francis has arrived in Brazil on his first trip abroad since becoming head of the Catholic Church in March.
The first Latin American Pope touched down at Rio de Janeiro airport on Monday afternoon and was greeted by President Dilma Rousseff.
The Argentina-born pontiff has travelled to Brazil to attend the Roman Catholic World Youth Day festival.
En route, the Pope told reporters that the global crisis risked creating a lost generation of jobless youth, reports the BBC.
As he left the Alitalia plane, he was greeted by President Dilma Rousseff to cheers and applause from the waiting crowd. As a choir sang, he was presented with a bouquet of flowers.
The authorities have increased security during the Pope's visit, following weeks of nationwide protests against corruption and bad governance.
Pope Francis has refused to use an armoured Popemobile, despite requests from Brazilian officials. Some 22,000 security staff will be on duty during his visit.
More than a million young Catholics are expected to gather in Rio for World Youth Day, which takes place every two years, and is a celebration of the Catholic faith.
The Pope is due to lead a service on Copacabana beach, and visit a shanty town.
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