Day One: Benedict in Brazil

*Day Two Coverage HERE*

Pope Benedict begins his sixth apostolic journey today, his first papal trip outside of Europe (excluding Turkey), to the most populous Catholic country in the world, Brazil. Please stay tuned for complete coverage.

Today's papal itinerary (all times EST):

4:30 - Arrival at the International Airport of São Paulo/Guarulhos.
Welcome ceremony at the International Airport of São Paulo/Guarulhos [Papal address]
5:30 - Transfer by helicopter from the International Airport of São Paulo/Guarulhos to the Campo de Marte Airport in São Paulo
6:00 - Arrival at Campo de Marte Airport in São Paulo. Welcome by the local authorities
6:10 - Transfer by "popemobile" from Campo de Marte Airport to the Monastery of São Bento in São Paulo
6:45 - Arrival to the Monastery of São Bento in São Paulo
Greeting and blessing from the balcony of the Monastery of São Bento in São Paulo [Papal address]

Best of the Best & Breaking News:

• Photos of Day One here (AmP selections), photos of the crows greeting the Pope here.
• Updated: Ed Peters contextualizes and explains the Pope's comments regarding excommunication and politicians who support abortion
• Breaking: Pope does not intend to excommunicate anyone (AP): "[Lombardi said] Since excommunication hasn't been declared by the Mexican bishops, the pope has no intention himself of declaring it," said Lombardi, who was on board the plane. "Legislative action in favor of abortion is incompatible with participation in the Eucharist. ... Politicians exclude themselves from Communion." [More here.]
• Breaking: Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Brazil (AP) - Photos here.
• Humor: Today's Papist-picture-of-the-Day.

Important general links:

• AP Photo feed
• EWTN's video coverage (begins at 3:30PM, rebroadcast 9pm)
• Vatican video feed
• Vatican complete itinerary of the journey
• Vatican overview page of the journey
• Official Latin American Bishops's conference page (spanish)
• Official Archdiocese of San Paolo welcome page (some english)
• PapaRaziForum coverage thread
• AmericanPapist(this blog)'s complete pre-visit coverage.

Papal texts and transcripts:

• John Allen's transcript of the Pope's conference aboard his plane

Most recent headlines:

• CNS: Pope says he wants to help reinforce Christian values, counter threats
• CWNews: Pope begins voyage to Brazil [Updated]

Notable St. Blog's coverage:

• Open Book: The Pope in Brazil
• Whispers in the Loggia: No Caminho....
• The Benedict Blog: Preparing for Pope Benedict's Trip to Brazil
• BettNet: Pope on excommunicating pro-abort pols

Catholic media coverage/analysis:

• CWNews: Pro-abortion politicians excommunicated, Pope says
• CWNews: Brazilian soccer superstar excited by papal visit
• Kath.net: Pope Departs on his Apostolic Trip to Brazil ("The 9,477-kilometer flight is expected to last twelve and a half hours.")
• LifeSiteNews: Pope Supports Excommunication for Pro-Abortion Politicians - "Incompatible with Receiving Communion"
• CWNews: Pope likely to discuss violence, poverty with Brazilian president
• CWNews: Pope begins voyage to Brazil
• CWNews: Liberation theology: Pope Benedict offers perspectives
• Sandro Magister: Benedict XVI Is in Brazil. But Meanwhile, the "Latinos" Are Invading the North
• CNS: Pope tells reporters church must keep fighting abortion, poverty
• CWNews: Pro-abortion politicians excluded from Communion: Pope

Mainstream coverage:

• John Allen: Inside the papal plane
• BBC News: Pope embarks on Brazilian visit
• BBC News: Pope's Brazil tour: Reporter's diary
• Reuters: Pope warns Catholic politicians who back abortion
• AP: Mexico City Politicians In Hot Holy Water
• Time: Brazil Welcomes a Very Different Pope
• NYT: As Pope Heads to Brazil, Abortion Debate Heats Up

From this morning's Vatican Information Service:

VATICAN CITY, MAY 9, 2007 (VIS) - At 9 a.m. this morning, the Pope departed by plane from Rome's Fiumicino airport bound for Brazil. The 9,477-kilometer flight is expected to last twelve and a half hours and the papal plane is scheduled to land at the international airport of Sao Paulo / Guarulhos in Brazil at 4.30 p.m. local time, 9.30 p.m. in Rome.

The Holy Father will be greeted at the airport by Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the president of the Federal Republic of Brazil. Following the welcome ceremony, during which Benedict XVI will deliver a talk, the Pope will travel by helicopter to the "Campo de Marte" airport where he will be received by the local authorities.

At 6.10 p.m. (11.10 p.m. in Rome), the Holy Father will travel by popemobile to the monastery of Sao Bento where he will be staying during his time in Sao Paulo. The complex of buildings includes, apart from the Benedictine monastery, the Sao Benito College, one of the most prestigious schools in Sao Paulo, and the basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption.

Following a moment of prayer in the monastery's chapel, the Pope will appear at the balcony to greet and bless the faithful gathered below.

The rest:

Special thanks to Amy Welborn and Domenico Bettinelli for inviting their readers to my coverage. Special thanks also to Teresa Benedetta and the other regular contributors of the PapaRatzingerForum for their incredible industry and dedication to all things Papa Benny!

Note: For the especially-motivated, even more interesting facts, photos & video here.

Note 2: I'll be posting comments in the comment box below as I watch live TV coverage of the Pope today. You are more than welcome to do the same!

[photo credit: REUTERS/Dario Pignatelli (ITALY)]
[photp captions: (1) Pope Benedict XVI descends from his personal helicopter as he arrives at Rome's Fiumicino International airport to leave for Brazil. (2) The Alitalia Boeing 777-200 plane, with Pope Benedict XVI onboard, leaves the Rome's Leonardo da Vinci international airport. (3) Pope Benedict XVI boards an Alitalia Boeing 777-200 plane at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci international airport.]