People greet the Pope as he visits the Varginha slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 25, 2013.
Pope Francis encouraged young people to honor their grandparents Friday, as he addressed a crowd in Rio de Janeiro during the Catholic Church's World Youth Day celebrations.
The pope noted that Friday marks Grandparent's Day in Brazil and many other countries. He said young people should thank their grandparents for the wisdom they share.
"On this World Youth Day, young people wish to acknowledge and honor their grandparents," he said. "They salute them with great affection and they thank them for the ongoing witness of their wisdom."
Bridging the gap between younger and older generations has been a major message for the pope during his trip to Brazil.
Thursday night, hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world gathered on the sprawling sands of Rio's famous Copacabana Beach to hear the 76-year-old pontiff speak.
The World Youth Day ceremony is the highlight event of the pontiff's week-long trip to Brazil.
Earlier Friday, Pope Francis heard confessions from a handful of young people at a park in Rio.
Story continues below photo gallery
The Pope Visits Brazil
1/15Pope Francis arrives to a farewell ceremony at the Rio de Janeiro airport, July 28, 2013.
2/15People pack Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro for Pope Francis' final mass for World Youth Day, July 28, 2013.
3/15Clergy attend a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis on the Copacabana beachfront, in Rio de Janeiro, July 28, 2013.
4/15A pilgrim wakes up after a night of vigil in Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, July 28, 2013.
5/15A man with his dog walk past a mural depicting actor Robin Williams in downtown Belgrade, Serbia. Unknown artists drew the academy award-winning actor and comedian below a bridge to pay a tribute following the news that he had been found dead of an apparent suicide at the age of 63.
6/15Thousands of young people gather at Rio de Janeiro's iconic Copacabana beachfront on July 25, 2013 for the welcoming of Pope Francis to World Youth Day ceremonies.
7/15Pope Francis delivers a speech during a visit to the Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, July 25, 2013.
8/15People greet Pope Francis as he visits the Varginha slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 25, 2013.
9/15A crowd waits for the Pope to arrive at the Varginha slum in Rio de Janeiro, July 25, 2013.
10/15A woman, who lost her father in World War II, holds a dove before releasing it as she prays for the war dead at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on the 69th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.
11/15Thousands of young pilgrims gather on Copacabana Beach for a World Youth Day Mass in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 23, 2013.
12/15Pope Francis greets the crowd of faithful from his popemobile in downtown Rio de Janeiro, July 22, 2013.
13/15Youth from France, Venezuela and Canada who are in Brazil for World Youth Day events sing songs as they ride in a train that travels to Corcovado mountain where the statue Christ the Redeemer stands over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 23, 2013.
14/15Pope Francis kisses a baby while greeting the crowd of faithful from his popemobile in downtown Rio de Janeiro, July 22, 2013.
15/15Pope Francis shakes hands with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff after receiving a painting of Rio de Janeiro during a welcoming ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, July 22, 2013.
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On Thursday, Francis, who was born in Argentina, celebrated Mass at Metropolitan Cathedral for scores of native Argentines in Rio. He also met with Brazilian athletes, including football (soccer) legend Zico, and blessed the Olympic flag. Rio will host football's World Cup next year and the Olympic Games in 2016.
The pontiff also visited one of Rio's notorious slums, or favelas, continuing his mission to call attention to the poor and marginalized.
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