Pope sets off on Brazil trip

Pope Benedict XVI departs today on his first pilgrimage to Latin America – a test of the 80-year-old pontiff’s stamina and how he intends to deal with pressing challenges to his church in the region.

The Vatican is promising he will deliver a tough message to politicians on poverty and crime during the five-day visit to Brazil – the world’s most populous Roman Catholic country – as well as try to strengthen a church battling to retain its leading role in the region.