Tens of thousands of cheering faithful greeted Pope Francis Monday on his arrival in Brazil, mobbing a motorcade carrying the pontiff into central Rio de Janeiro at the start of a weeklong visit.
Video showed security officers struggling at several points to push back the joyous crowds, while the pope rolled down the window of his car to touch those who reached inside. One woman handed the 76-year-old pope an infant, whom he kissed before handing back.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and a host of dignitaries met the Argentine-born Francis -- the former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio -- as he stepped off a commercial airliner to begin his visit.
Later, anti-government protesters clashed with police outside the palace holding the official papal welcoming ceremony. Reports from the scene said crowd anger appeared directed at Brazilian leaders, not at the pontiff.