Pope Benedict XVI meets recovering cocaine and heroin addicts in Brazil, and warns drug dealers they will pay a heavy price for damages they have caused across Latin America. The Pontiff is winning the hearts and minds of recovering addicts with hugs and a reassuring message. After hearing moving stories of hardship and recovery from former cocaine and heroin addicts on the fourth day of his visit to Brazil, the Pope on Saturday (May 12) said drug abuse was a scourge throughout Latin Americ Read more

Pope Benedict XVI meets recovering cocaine and heroin addicts in Brazil, and warns drug dealers they will pay a heavy price for damages they have caused across Latin America. The Pontiff is winning the hearts and minds of recovering addicts with hugs and a reassuring message. After hearing moving stories of hardship and recovery from former cocaine and heroin addicts on the fourth day of his visit to Brazil, the Pope on Saturday (May 12) said drug abuse was a scourge throughout Latin America.
As Pope Benedict's trip to the world's largest Catholic nation approaches its end, the Pontiff seems to be gaining hearts and minds wherever he goes.
In his visit to a drug rehabilitation centre located in a bucolic farm in Guaratingueta, Benedict hugged addicts and smiled frequently, despite a reputation of lacking charisma.
Thousands of followers sang and waved flags as the Pope, flanked by bodyguards, then walked through the crowd, smiling and shaking hands.
The Roman Catholic leader warned Latin America's ruthless drugs cartels that they would face God's harsh judgement for wrecking countless lives across the region.
After the Pope spoke for some ten minutes, the encounter took on a lively tone as young boys and girls performed for him to the sound of Brazilian music.
In his speech, he told recovering addicts to pray along with the other treatments they were receiving because it had helped many people to get rid of drugs and alcohol.
"Through a treatment, which includes medical, psychological and pedagogical assistance, but also a lot of praying, manual work and discipline, are numerous people, especially young people, that have been able to free themselves from drug and alcohol dependency and recover the meaning of life,"
Founded by Franciscan friars 25 years ago, the Farm of Hope helps addicts from as far away as Russia and the Philippines kick their habit with a year-long programme that includes working as farm hands and reading the bible.
Throughout his trip to the word's most populous Roman Catholic county, the Pope has railed against the hedonism of modern society and exhorted people to lead more moral lives.
He has spoken out against sex outside of marriage, and reiterated the Church's unflinching opposition to abortion.
About one-in-four of the 6,000 people who heard the Pope's address on a sports field at the farm, nestled in a lush valley about 10 miles (15 km) from the shrine city of Aparecida, were from various rehabilitation centres in Brazil.
Follower Joana Batista said the Pope's visit brought them greater hope and faith.
"This increases our faith, our hope, and I thank him very much for this visit," she said after listening to his speech.
A former drug addict, Marcelo Fontes, said he feels lucky to be blessed by the Pope.
"So many people want to be here and I'm receiving this blessing," he said.
On Sunday (May 13), the Pope will address a conference of Latin American and Caribbean bishops in Aparecida, the site of Brazil's holiest shrine and largest cathedral visited by millions of pilgrims each year. Close