Overall, Brazilians seem to approve of the security measures put in place around Pope Francis for the first international trip of his papacy.  But not everyone is happy in this restive year of protests.

Activists clashed with police on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, setting fire and pelting the cops with rocks and fireworks.  Police responded with rubber bullets and truncheons.  These protests echoed the unrest of a few weeks ago:  Protesters say the $53 Million price tag Brazil is paying to host a week’s worth of Catholic Youth Day events should have been spent on hospitals, education, and infrastructure - areas that have been ignored while the government seeks to promote its international standing by hosting big events like the Pope’s activities and the World Cup.

Much of the $53 Million is being used for security.  Even though the Pope is eschewing bulletproof shields and shaking hands with people in the crowds, the cops are pushing back most people.

“I don't understand why we can't get closer,” said 74-year old Odaleia Bastos as she argued with police officers. 

“The population will protect the pope,” she kept telling them.

Although Francis enjoys massive personal popularity, more and more Brazilians are drifting away from the Catholic Church, especially the young.  Brazil is the world’s largest Roman Catholic country, but membership has gone from 90 percent to 65 percent. 

Check out these stats from the Brazilian Institute of Public Opinion and Statistics: 82 percent of younger Brazilian Catholics believe they should be able to use the morning-after pill to prevent pregnancy; 72 percent support ending the celibacy requirement for priests; and 62 percent say women should be allowed to be priests.

62 percent of young Catholics oppose criminal penalties for abortion and 56 percent support same sex marriages.