Pope takes break from schedule in Brazil POPE Francis has taken a break from his hectic schedule in Brazil as authorities assessed security lapses during a raucous welcome ceremony by tens of thousands of adoring pilgrims. The fervour that surrounded the pontiff's arrival on Monday initially wrong-footed the trip's organisers. Despite massive security for Latin America's first Pope, legions of Roman Catholics were able to block his convoy and reach inside his car's open window. A Rio municipal official said the driver made a wrong turn, keeping the car stuck in traffic for several hours. A federal official handling major events in Brazil said the 76-year-old Pope himself had asked the driver to slow down. The Pope himself appeared upbeat and even lowered the window of his car to salute the crowd while his security detail was visibly nervous. There's no need to dramatise what happened. Everything turned out well and nobody came to harm the Pope," said Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi. It was a first experience. We saw the enthusiasm of the crowd. It is something new, maybe a lesson for the coming days...We have to find the correct way," he added. "Thank you to all of you and to all the authorities for a magnificent welcome in Rio," the Pope wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. The pontiff came here to attend World Youth Day (WYD), a five-day Catholic youth fest kicks off on Tuesday . But his trip comes after last month's massive nationwide street protests against endemic political corruption and to demand better public services. On Monday, police used tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon to disperse hundreds of demonstrators who protested against the $US53 million ($A57 million) spent on the papal visit. A policeman said they charged at rioters who threw firebombs. Further public demonstrations are planned for Friday.