(1 Nov 2016) Thousands of Catholics pilgrims gathered at Malmo stadium on Tuesday to attend the first mass celebrated in Sweden by Pope Francis.
Before participating in the mass, Pope Francis greeted the crowd at Swedbank sports stadium where he was celebrating Mass for Sweden's tiny Catholic community.
Parents dangled their snowsuit-clad babies over the edge of the stands of the Malmo stadium as Francis walked by, hoping to get a papal kiss or blessing.
Francis obliged, taking his time under the overcast eight degrees centigrade (48F) skies to stop and bless wheelchair-bound faithful on the pitch.
The crowd chanted "Papa Francesco" and waved Swedish, Polish, Danish and Vatican flags.
Pilgrims spoke about their excitement and delight that Pope Francis was visiting Sweden, with one pilgrim travelling from India to get a glimpse of the pontiff.
The Mass on Tuesday was Francis' final event of his overnight trip to southern Sweden to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
He originally wasn't going to celebrate Mass because he wanted the trip to be exclusively an ecumenical affair, but relented after Catholic protests.

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