May 7, 2007, 13:31 GMT
Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI will speak out against poverty, social inequality and abortion during his looming trip to Brazil, the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, said Monday.
Feminists, gay-rights groups and liberals have vowed to protest against his May 9-14 visit over his conservative stances on women's rights, contraception and abortion.
Speaking to reporters in Rome, Bertone said the pontiff also planned to send out 'strong messages' against the rise of protestant sects, which have been eroding the Catholic Church's support in the Latin American country.
Benedict will be departing for Brazil on Wednesday and will be returning to the Vatican on Monday.
This is Joseph Ratzinger's first transatlantic trip since his 2005 election as pope.
His predecessor, John Paul II, visited Brazil a total of four times.
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