Record Crowds Await Pope Francis in South America.
BERMAN: An epic crowd is gathering at this moment. Pope Francis scheduled to speak in just a few minutes to a million people, maybe more. He is in Ecuador. It's the first stop on a crucial papal road trip.</s>BOLDUAN: This is Pope Francis's first visit to his native South America in two years. His message is expected to be one of compassion for the weak and poor and one of the poorest nations in South America. And to reiterate John's point, this is a message he's going to be delivering before a crowd of a million people. That's just amazing. CNN religion commentator, Father Edward Beck, is joining us with more. That is a message to be -- a million people really kind of coming out to see him. I guess you could have maybe expected nothing less as he's returning to his native South America but his message is one you think is very important.</s>FATHER EDWARD BECK, CNN RELIGION COMMENTATOR: And Ecuador is the perfect place to begin. His message, care of the environment and care of the poor, and both are being challenged right now in Ecuador. It's the most bio-diverse country in the hemisphere, yet those natural resources, critics say, have been depleted. They're drilling, overmining. Last summer, they began drilling in the national park, to the decry of many of the people. So how do you care for the poor? President Correa said the reason we're doing it is because we have so many in poverty and he, in fact, lifted a million and a half people out of poverty through the oil drilling. But then the crude prices fell as did the poor and now his critics are saying what are you going to do now? So the pope has this delicate balance, care of the poor, which President Correa says he has, and care of the environment without depleting natural resources.</s>BERMAN: Interesting as he tries to connect with people at the large level. But after, that he's going to have a meeting with just one person that's very, very special.</s>BECK: It is special. He hasn't seen this person in 30 years, nor has he spoken with him. This is Father Cortes, affectionately known as Paquito. That's what the pope calls him. 30 years ago, he was a seminary professor, and the pope used to send the seminarians from Argentina to study with Father Paquito. And someone in Rome recently and saying, "The pope is going to come see you." And he said "I haven't seen anymore 30 years, I didn't think he would remember me. They said, "He will see you when he comes to Paraguay, he'll have lunch with you." So going from one million-plus people to one person. That says something about this pope, right?</s>BERMAN: Touching lives at every level.</s>BECK: Exactly.</s>BOLDUAN: Just amazing. To be in that lunch. You can imagine what they're going to talk about. This is a man who now can say that I know a pope. He's 19 years old. He's lived his entire life serving his community and now he'll sit down with the pope himself.</s>BECK: And a fellow Jesuit, which is important. That brotherly bonding.</s>BERMAN: A few seconds left, Father. Is this a preview of what we'll see in the United States or will he bring a different message to the United States when he comes in the fall?</s>BECK: He's going to still talk about the environment and social justice. Remember, capitalism thrives in the United States. His resent encyclical is very critical about unbridled capitalism. So you'll expect, especially in that speech before Congress and Washington, he's going to challenge those politicians, how do address this issue.</s>BERMAN: Father Edward Beck, great to have you with us. Thanks so much.</s>BECK: Pleasure.</s>BOLDUAN: Great to see you. Thank you all so much for joining us</s>AT THIS HOUR. BERMAN: "LEGAL VIEW" with Ashleigh Banfield starts right now.