Massive security operation for pope's visit to Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO Roman Catholic Pope Francis will travel to Rio de Janeiro next week on World Youth Day. During the visit, the Brazilian law enforcement will carry out what has been described as the biggest police operation in the history of the city. Massive security operation for pope's visit to Rio "It will be the largest police operation ever carried out in this city," AFP was told by a state of Rio security official, Roberto Diaz Chavez Algeria. It is expected that the event, which runs June 22-28, will be attended by 1.5 million young Catholics. 30,000 members of the police and military forces will be providing security. "Security will be much higher than during the same event in Madrid in 2011," said Diaz Chavez. He added that the plan was created in June, when mass demonstrations were taking place all over Brazil. More than 1.2 million people participated in demonstrations on June 20, which began ten days earlier in Sao Paulo. The reason for the protests was increased price of public transport and high tax burdens, corrupt politicians and poor health and education. Pope Francis will during his stay in Rio de Janeiro also visit a favela in the northern suburbs. Security will be particularly concentrated on the famous Copacabana beach, where "the greatest concentration of young Catholics" is expected. Francis will not be using his special security vehicle, the so-called Popemobile. Instead, he will ride in open cars "in order to be closer to the people," according to AFP. (Beta/AP, file) Beta

Massive security operation for pope's visit to Rio

"It will be the largest police operation ever carried out in this city," AFP was told by a state of Rio security official, Roberto Diaz Chavez Algeria.

It is expected that the event, which runs June 22-28, will be attended by 1.5 million young Catholics. 30,000 members of the police and military forces will be providing security.

"Security will be much higher than during the same event in Madrid in 2011," said Diaz Chavez.

He added that the plan was created in June, when mass demonstrations were taking place all over Brazil.

More than 1.2 million people participated in demonstrations on June 20, which began ten days earlier in Sao Paulo.

The reason for the protests was increased price of public transport and high tax burdens, corrupt politicians and poor health and education.

Pope Francis will during his stay in Rio de Janeiro also visit a favela in the northern suburbs. Security will be particularly concentrated on the famous Copacabana beach, where "the greatest concentration of young Catholics" is expected.

Francis will not be using his special security vehicle, the so-called Popemobile. Instead, he will ride in open cars "in order to be closer to the people," according to AFP.