Brazilian police disperse protest with tear gas amid Pope visit

Rio De Janeiro: Brazilian police dispersed hundreds of protesters with tear gas and water cannons near the Rio state governor`s palace on Tuesday after a meeting there between Pope Francis and Brazil`s president.

A photographer was seen with his face bleeding on the ground and at least one demonstrator was detained moments after the pope left the palace where he had spoken alongside President Dilma Rousseff, a news agency correspondents said. An officer told a news agency that the police charged the crowd after someone threw a Molotov cocktail. The demonstrators were protesting the USD 53 million in public funds spent for the pope`s visit, weeks after massive protests were held across the country to denounce corruption and government waste. The violence marred the end of the pope`s first day in Brazil, which began with throngs of pilgrims lining the streets to warmly welcome the 76-year-old Argentine as he crossed the city in an open-top jeep. AFP