Huge crowds were gathering in a major park in the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil Monday to join Pope Francis in celebrating an evening Mass as the pontiff continued a Latin American visit.
Some of the faithful camped out Sunday night to be sure of having a spot to see the pope, who was born in Argentina and is a champion of the poor and downtrodden.
The pope was travelling from Quito, Ecuador's capital city, and as many as one million people were expected for the Mass in Guayaquil's 'Parque de Los Samanes'.
Many youth groups were taking part, singing songs and leading cheers including 'Long Live Pope Francis' amid seas of flags from Ecuador and Argentina.
Francis, who arrived by plane from Quito, was expected to dedicate Monday's Mass to the family and themes of this year's synod.
The pope's first appointment in Guayaquil was at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy, according to Vatican Radio.
His three-country tour in Latin America will also take him to Bolivia and Paraguay.
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