The Latest: Thousands await pope in Ecuadorean city of Guayaquil where he'll celebrate Mass

People wait for the arrival of Pope Francis to celebrate a Mass at Samanes Park in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Monday, July 6, 2015. The "pope of the poor" returned to Spanish-speaking South America for the first time as pontiff Sunday, stressing the need to protect the poor and the environment from exploitation and to foster dialogue among all sectors of society. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) (The Associated Press)

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 before Francis arrives in Ecuador’s port city of Guayaquil, thousands are already waiting in Samanes where the pope is expected to celebrate Mass with up to 1 million people. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) (The Associated Press)

Faithful wait for the arrival of Pope Francis to celebrate a Mass at the Samanes Park in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Monday, July 6, 2015. Francis travels to the Ecuadorean port of Guayaquil on Monday for a Mass expected to draw more than 1 million people, as Latin America's first pontiff tours his home continent bringing a message of compassion for the weak and respect for an ailing planet. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) (The Associated Press)

Here are the latest developments from Pope Francis' trip to South America:

___

9:05 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.