Rio beach becomes the Popeacabana as 3m attend Mass

A SEASIDE Mass by Pope Francis drew THREE MILLION worshippers to Rio’s famous Copacabana Beach yesterday.

It was the biggest ever crowd at the iconic location — attracting three times the number who attended a Rolling Stones gig there in 2006.

Many of the rosary-toting faithful spent Saturday night on the two-and-a-half mile stretch of sand wrapped in flags and sleeping bags to keep warm.

Nuns gathered to hear the Pope’s message, mingling with the scantily-clad beauties who usually claim the beach.

By the time the Pope’s car reached the stage, the back seat was piled high with football shirts — he is a huge fan of the game — flags and flowers thrown by the throngs lining the route.

Buns ... two sunbathers

Many thousands wept as the 76-year-old urged them to build their church like St Francis of Assisi was called to do.

The Mass ended the Pope’s first foreign trip since becoming Pontiff and closed a Catholic youth festival.

During his visit, the Pope also urged pilgrims not to be part-time Christians and to lead full, meaningful lives.

Nuns ... sisters in attendance

And he criticised the complicated message of the church, telling Brazil’s bishops they must deliver simpler messages of love and forgiveness.

He also told young Catholics that Jesus offers something “bigger than the World Cup” — a reference to the tournament that Brazil is hosting next year.