The Latest: Ecuadorean boys take selfie photos with pope
By The Associated Press, Associated Press
Jul 6, 2015 10:13 AM CDT
A woman holds a balloon bouquet in Vatican colors and a placard with an image of Pope Francis with a message that reads in Spanish; "Welcome to Guayaquil, We pray for you," as she waits for the arrival of Francis to celebrate a Mass at the Samanes Park in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Monday, July 6, 2015. Hours...   (Associated Press)

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Here are the latest developments from Pope Francis' trip to South America:

10:03 a.m.

A handful of altar boys took selfie photos with Pope Francis upon his arrival in Guayaquil, a port city in Ecuador where the pope plans to celebrate Mass with up to 1 million people. The altar boys were waiting on the tarmac and approached the pontiff when he descended from his plane.

Francis also was met by Mayor Jaime Nebot, who gave him the keys to the city, which were gold and silver, encrusted with pearls.

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9:56 a.m.

Pope Francis has landed in Guayaquil, an Ecuadorean port city where he plans to celebrate Mass in a park. More than 1 million people are expected to attend Mass at the Samanes Park in northern Guayaquil.

While in the city, Francis also plans to meet with members of his Jesuit order.

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9:15 a.m.

If nature calls while Pope Francis is celebrating Mass in Ecuador's port city of Guayaquil, a special bathroom is set up for him.

Sitting behind the pavilion in the Samanes Park, authorities built a spacious bathroom that includes a large toilet, a shower, a large mirror, an Asian-style rug and a painting of Jesus.

Teresa Arboleda, a popular television personality in Ecuador, toured the bathroom and described it to viewers. She says the bathroom has white walls and light that shines in from above giving it a bright feel.

More than 1 million people are expected to attend Mass at the park.

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8:05 a.m.

Hours before Pope Francis arrives in Ecuador's port city of Guayaquil, thousands are already waiting in the Samanes Park where the pope is expected to celebrate Mass with up to 1 million people.

Guillermina Aveiga Davila, a 90-year-old retired accountant, says she arrived in the middle of the night. She traveled from Chone, about 104 miles (167 kilometers) north of Guayaquil.

"This is the first time I'll be able to see a pope," said Davila, accompanied be five family members.

Vicente Huilcatoma Montes, a 47-year-old school bus driver, says he arrived at 5 p.m. on Sunday to make sure he found a good spot close to the front. He says he walked 25 miles (40 kilometers) with a procession from the southern part of Guayaquil to the park, which is in the far northern part of the city.

"I'm tired, hungry and I haven't slept but I feel such emotion and joy in my heart," he said.

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Associated Press writer Allen Panchana in Guayaquil, Ecuador, contributed to this report.

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