Pope Francis holds first public mass

Pope Francis blessed a new wing of the St. Francis of Assisi hospital in Brazil dedicated to the rehabilitation of drug users, Vatican officials said. He said he embraces people who are struggling with addiction while blessing the wing Wednesday. Pope Francis said it is necessary to confront the problems underlying drug use, adding the decriminalization of drug use -- as is being proposed in some Latin American areas -- will not help. He also spoke to those who are suffering directly. "Look ahead," he said. "Do not let yourself be robbed of hope." The pope celebrated his first public mass Wednesday at one of Latin America's largest shrines, The New York Times said. He urged Catholics to shun the idols of material success, power and pleasure during the mass, and said he plans to return in 2017. The pope's first international visit has been marked by organizational problems, the Times said. When he arrived, his motorcade got stuck in traffic and he was exposed to a mob of people trying to touch him through an open window. Authorities have also been blamed for mishandling street demonstrations and have been accused of inciting confrontations, the Times said.