The Pope's people took a wrong turn in Rio, plunging him into a frenzied, ecstatic throng?

This happened "in his first minutes back in South America since becoming pontiff."

I smell publicity stunt.

Francis' driver had turned into the wrong side of a boulevard at one point, missing lanes that had been cleared. Other parts of the pope's route to the city center weren't lined with fencing, giving the throngs more chances to get close, with uniformed police nowhere in sight to act as crowd control.

My skepticism alarm is clanging.

The three dozen visible Vatican and Brazilian plainclothes security officials struggled to keep the crowds at bay. Francis, however, not only looked calm but got even closer to the people. He rolled down his back-seat window, waved to the crowd and touched those who reached inside. He kissed a baby a woman handed to him.

Fabulous theater. Nicely Jesus-y.

A reading from Matthew 19:

13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

ADDED: "He rolled down his back-seat window...." The Pope's car doesn't have electric windows?