World Youth Day 2013: Gays, Feminists Plan Protest Action During Pope Francis’s Rio de Janeiro Visit (VIDEOS)

Although millions of young people from different nations welcomed Pope Francis when he arrived in Rio de Janeiro to lead the 15^th international celebration of World Youth Day, some groups are not happy with his visit.

An hour after the Alitalia plane that the pontiff rode arrived in Brazil, several small but dispersed street protest occurred in Rio to protest the use of public funds on the city's hosting of the WYD and the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Andre Ribeiro, one of the protesting students, said that the Brazilian government spent over $50 million on WYD which could have been used on education and health. He insisted what they did, including throwing firebombs at police officers, is a political protest, not a religious protest.

"It has nothing to do with the Pope," Mr Ribeiro was quoted by The Independent.

In June, Brazilians showed their might by filling the streets in protest over government policies and to push for improvements in public transport, health and education. While no massive demonstration against the pope is expected this time because locals are hopeful that Pope Francis, who is bent on reforming the Church, will help them in their search for justice, it is another matter for gays and lesbians.

A gay rights group plans to have same-sex couples hold a kiss-in or a beijaco when the pontiff delivers his speech on Thursday, July 25, at the Copacabana beach. Then on Saturday, July 27, it would be feminists turn to hold a Slut Walk in Rio to protest sexual violence against women.

Although their activities could cause embarrassment to the pope, the groups believe what they would do still falls under the message of humility espoused by Pope Francis who has carried his own luggage, fell in line and sought no VIP treatment on his way to Brazil.

However, drawing the line between initiating reforms and accepting some of the groups' advocacies like same-sex marriage would need a very diplomatic but stern approach on the part of the former Buenos Aires cardinal who, as leader of the 1.2-billion strong Roman Catholic Church, must take the church's conservative stand on these issues.