Vatican City:
Pilgrims who flock to see Pope Francis in Rio de Janeiro will be forgiven from penance for their sins -- if they spend their time praying in the party-loving city, the Vatican has said.
Rome issued the "plenary indulgence", an archaic tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, ahead of the Pontiff's trip to South America later this month.
The decree does not mean sins will be automatically forgiven but any punishment is lifted from believers who follow the rules.
The Sacred Apostolic Penitentiary, a Vatican court for the forgiveness of sins, said in a statement on Tuesday that believers attending would first have to confess, go to mass and be "truly penitent and contrite".
The indulgence would also apply to anyone who follows the "rites and pious exercises" on television, radio and even through social media as long as Internet prayer is done with "requisite devotion".
Pope Francis is flying to Brazil to attend Catholic World Youth Day, where millions are expected.
It will be the Pope's first visit to his native Latin America since he was elected by cardinals in March.
He will be in Brazil, the world's largest Catholic country, for seven days, beginning July 22.