Pope Francis ended his traditional blessing in St Peter's Square today by asking everyone to pray for his trip to Brazil which he will start tomorrow.
Under blazing sunshine, crowds of pilgrims gathered in the square with flags from around the world and a huge banner reading 'Buon Viaggio', (Have a good trip).
"I can see written down there 'Buon Viaggio'. Thank you! Thank you!" said Pope Francis smiling with enthusiasm.
"I ask you to accompany me spiritually in prayer in my travels from tomorrow. As you know, I will travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the occasion of the 28th World Youth Day. There will be many young people there from every part of the world, and I think that we can call this the Youth Week, yes, that's right, it's truly the Week of Youth. The protagonists in this week will be the young people," said Pope Francis.
As has become his habit, his last words to the crowds were to enjoy their Sunday lunch.
"I wish everyone a good Sunday and a good lunch. See you soon!" said the Pope.
Pope Francis will spend a week in Rio de Janeiro to preside over the Catholic Church's World Day of Youth, a gathering sometimes dubbed a "Catholic Woodstock" that occurs in a different city every two years.
He will also visit the poor in a favela and meet young prisoners.
Pope Francis, who has said he wants to make concern for the poor a hallmark of his papacy, will visit the Manguinhos slum in Rio de Janeiro on the fourth day of his trip to the world's largest Catholic country.
The Vatican said he will walk along the streets of the shantytown and enter at least one home before he addresses the entire community in a sports field.
Pope Francis will not use bullet-proof popemobiles during his visit to allow him more direct contact with crowds despite the security risks.
On July 24, he will fly by helicopter to the city of Aparecida, about 240 km southwest of Rio de Janeiro, to visit the national shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, whom the Church honors as the patroness of Brazil.
The Pope also plans to address Brazil's political and business leaders during his stay.
The visit to Brazil is expected to be the only one abroad for the pope this year. The former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires is expected to visit his homeland early next year.