Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jul 24, 2013 / 01:58 am
Pope Francis has modified his World Youth Day schedule to plan a meeting this Thursday with several thousand young people from his home country of Argentina.
"The Pope expressed a desire to meet them, and the young people expressed a desire to meet the Pope," said Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi.
He announced the meeting at a July 23 press briefing, at which he discussed the Pope's activities from the day.
Tuesday was a free day on the Holy Father's schedule, after he arrived in Brazil on Monday. Fr. Lombardi explained that the Pope used the day to celebrate a private Mass at his residence, and then meet with cardinals and other advisors.