anne thompson has more from rio de janeiro. >> reporter: an extraordinary week is coming to an end for pope francis, he's seen the kind of reception the leaders of the catholic church has not seen in decades, a lot of that reception is fuelled by francis himself. he has reached out to the people here, he blesses the sick. he takes every picture he can. he kisses every baby he sees. and in return, people here are coming out in droves to see him. last night as he made his way to the stage, people stood ten deep along the beach just to get a glimpse of him. and at times, the pope mobile looked like a moving basketball hoop. because people were tossing him flags and t-shirts, giving his security detail fits. all of these actions backed up his message, he wants a church to be closer to the people. he also wants a church for those who society often leaves behind. so we've seen him meet with drug addicts. we've seen him meet with young criminal offenders. and he's also walked through the slums of rio. he also sent a message to those who have left the church because of the clergy sex abuse, sa

ann thompson, nbc news, rome. >>> when nbc news continues on this sunday night with mortgage rates inching up, home buyers are facing an old nemesis, sticker shock. >>> and the big birthday bash in the big easy for a loveable legend. >>> we're back now with the rapid rise in mortgage rates analysts say points to a stronger economy. cnbc's real estate economist says it's also short-circuiting the housing market. >> nice corner lot, mature trees. >> they have been house hunting for two months. now they're looking for a bit less home. >> it's hard. because you see the houses that you want, and you knew at one point you probably could afford them and now you can't. >> reporter: mortgage rates have jumped more than a full percentage points since the start of may. so payments on a $200,000 home went up $120 a month. why the increase? investors raise up when news the federal reserve would begin pulling money out of the mortgage markets pushing rates to record lows. >> my biggest concern is we're not going to have demand anywhere remotely close to what we had three months ago, 12 months ago when t

brian. >> anne thompson high above copacabana beach in rio. thanks. >> back in this country, one month since the supreme court struck down the heart of the landmark voting rights act. and the obama administration has now opened a big new front in the battle over voting rights. going after strict new voting laws in the state of texas and promising that is just the start of it. our report tonight from our justice correspondent pete williams. >> reporter: in a bold response to the supreme court's ruling on the voting rights act attorney general eric holder today said the justice department is asking a federal judge to force texas to get court approval before changing how it conducts elections. >> we believe the state of texas should be required to go through a preclearance process whenever it changes its voting laws and practices. >> reporter: a month ago the supreme court struck down the map of where the preclearance requirement applied automatically, mostly in the south. now the justice department is signaling it will go state-by-state seeking t

anne thompson has the story. >> reporter: from the mass attended by more than 3 million on copacabana beach to more special counters spectacular images mark pope francis' trip to brazil. one of the most dramatic moments came on the flight home a no holds barred press conference something no pope has done in years. animated, relaxed and funny, the 76-year-old pontiff took questions for an hour and 20 minutes. asked about the so-called gay lobby inside the vatican, the pope gave an answer no one expected. "if a person is gay and seeks the lord and has goodwill, who am i to judge that person?" >> is t sends a strong message from the head of the catholic church that gay people should not be marginalized, should not be discriminated against. should be -- he wants to be inclusive and welcoming to them. >> reporter: francis said no on women priests, explaining the church had spoken on that. as for his predecessor and neighbor at the vatican, pope benedict, francis likened him to a wise grandfather. he says he doesn't live in the papal apartments because they're just too big. he cannot live a

nbc's anne thompson is traveling with the pope, spoke with him on the plane en route to brazil. she is with us from rio tonight. hey, anne, good evening. >> reporter: good evening, brian. pope francis is resting tonight after a 12-hour flight and what can only be described as a raucous welcome, beginning a week that will test brazilian security and put the global spotlight back on this nation's economic woes. they could not wait to touch him. brazilians rushing pope francis' motorcade as he made his way through the streets of rio, his car mobbed, forced to a standstill several times by the excited crowd. the first latin-american pope wasted no time reaching out to the people. a potential security nightmare, rio officials said federal police changed the motorcade's route without informing city authorities, but francis seemed to revel in the chaos, even stopping to kiss a baby. officials say world youth day is the biggest police operation in the history of rio, and today, the mayor promised francis would be safe during his six-day stay. >> he wants to be open to the people. now, th

ann thompson in rio tonight, thank you. >>> a passing of note tonight. former congresswoman and former u.s. ambassador to the vatican lindy boggs has died of natural causes at her home in chevy chase, maryland. boggs who succeeded her husband in the house of representatives after his plane crashed in alaska was the first woman elected to congress in louisiana. she was also active in civil rights issues and the mother of abc news analyst coke roberts. she was 97. >>> theresa heinz kerry is on the road to recovery. she was released from a massachusetts rehab hospital today where she was treated for a seizure earlier this month. >>> when "nbc nightly news" continues for this saturday evening, paying the price. what it's costing millions of us when we forget to read the fine print in those free trial offers. >>> and a dying man giving away his considerable fortune to charity. . >>> how many times have we signed up for something because it was free only to learn that we've been zapped with charges we never expected? it's happening to millions of us, and the c

anne thompson is traveling with the pope and has that story for us tonight. >> reporter: not many masses start like this. ♪ more than 3 million people doing a flash mob dance, but then not every sunday mass is celebrated by pope francis. during this world youth day event, the pope sought to bridge divides, the old and the young, the rich and the poor, and, most importantly, the church and its people. this group from wisconsin joining the parade of 180 nations on the beach. >> just really incredible to know that there's people from all these different nations who are doing the same thing as we are. >> reporter: throughout the week to connect with the massive crowds, the pope followed the advice of his namesake, st. francis of assisi. preach often and when necessary use words. he reached out to the people and was mobbed in return, creating headaches for security. the pope seemed to love every minute of it, donning the head dress of brazil's indigenous people. blessing and kissing children lifted to him. creating a personal bond that this woman from florida will remember all her life. >> no

some say priorities are misplaced. >> anne thompson high above the beach in rio tonight. anne, thanks. >>> news tonight concerning the rising cost of college in this country as congress and the white house continue to try to iron out a compromise on student loan rates. a new report is out. it reveals how more american families these days are making it work without student loans. our chief education correspondent, rehema ellis, here in the studio with more on this. rehema, good evening. >> good evening, brian. several things are happening, including a new trend that shows families are spending less of their own money on college. paying for college, in fact, two-thirds qualified for scholarships and grants to help cover the costs. and if you look at the breakdown, that accounts for any other type of funding, more than parents and more than student loans. and when it comes to picking colleges, the majority of families, 67%, ruled out certain colleges because of the price. and to further keep expenses under control, 57% of students lived at home, not on campus. what the repor

among those journalists on the plane, nbc's anne thompson. >> reporter: from the mass attended by more than three million on copacabana beach to more personal encounters, spectacular images marked pope francis' trip to brazil. but one of the most dramatic moments came on the flight home. >> i'm going to face that. >> reporter: a no holds barred press conference, something no pope has done in years. animated, relaxed and funny. the 76-year-old pontiff took questions for an hour and 20 minutes. asked about the so-called gay lobby inside the vatican, the pope gave an answer no one expected. if a person is gay and seeks the lord and has good will, who am i to judge that person? >> it sends a strong message from the head of the catholic church that gay people should not be marginalized, should not be discriminated against, should be -- he wants to be inclusive and welcoming to them. >> reporter: francis said no on women priests, explaining the church had spoken on that. as for his predecessor and neighbor at the vatican, pope benedict, francis likened him to a wise grandfather. he says he d

comments about gay people and the church and here with us now from rome, nbc news correspondent anne thompsond morning, mika. you know people are really even 24 hours later still shaking their heads at the five words the pope spoke on his plane yesterday, and they were "who am i to judge" and it appears this is a change in attitudes towards gay priests and gay people. surprises is a hallmark of pope frances' short papacy, paying his own hotel bill the day after he was elected to his love of the crowds. but nothing has stunned the catholic world like his comments on the flight back from rio. towards the end of an extraordinary hour and 20 minute press conference, asked about the so-called gay lobby inside the vatican, the pope said, if a person is gay and seeks the lord and has good will, who am i to judge that person? a sentiment largely welcomed outside new york's st. patrick's cathedral. >> i do think it was a good move. people need to be encouraged to not judge other people based on certain things. >> when pope frances said he wasn't going to judge anyone, i think this is a traemendous bre

anne thompson was one of the journalists on that plane.s open with the discussion he had with you and other journalist. there remark would indicate a landmark shift for the church here. what do we know what was behind that stamted and what it might mean? >> reporter: well, first let me put in some context for you, richard. this was part of an hour and 20-minute press conference. the pope came back and gave to reporters who traveled with him to rio. and his answer was in response to a question about the so-called ga lobby that allegedly exists inside the vatican walls and the pope told reporters, he said, look. i have never met anybody with a business card that says gay on it. and then he went on to say if someone is gay and he is seeking the lord, who am i to judge? and beyond that, he said that gays should not be marginalized, they should not be treated different in society, they should be incorporated into society. and when it comes to lobbies, he says he doesn't like any kind of lobbies. it is a remarkable statement, given the antigay a

ann thompson is traveling along with the pope and has that story tonight. >> reporter: not many masseshan 3 million people doing a flash mob dance. but then not every sunday mass is celebrated by pope francis. most importantly the church and its people. this group from wisconsin joining the parade of 180 nations on the beach. >> it's really incredible to know there's people from all these different nations who are doing the same thing as we are. >> reporter: throughout the week to connect with the massive crowds, the pope followed the advice of his name sake saint francis. preach often when when necessary use words. he reached out to the people and was mobbed in return creating headaches for security. the pope seemed to love every minute of it. donning the head dress of brazil's indigenous people. kissing babies lifted to him. creating a bond that angela lazaro will remember all her life. >> not many people can say that. i was standing five feet away from the pope. >> reporter: thompson phillip is one of a dozen young pilgrims invited to lunch with francis. >> he told us you have to do

anyway, many, many thanks, nbc's anne thompson reporting from rio. we appreciate it. >> now, folks, have we reached a jump defense moment from the irs scandal from the treasury to the white house? jump the fence. a highly appointed political appoint was in a meeting just two days before a major irs policy change. we're going to have the details on that story, what it means and much more just ahead on kudlow. vo: traveling you definitely end up meeting a lot more people but a friend under water is something completely different. i met a turtle friend today so, you don't get that very often. it seemed like it was more than happy to have us in his home. so beautiful. avo: more travel. more options. more personal. whatever you're looking for expedia has more ways to help you find yours. that's me... i made you something. ♪ i made you something, too. ♪ see you next summer. ♪ [ male announcer ] get exceptional values on the highest quality cars at the summer of audi sales event. ♪ >>> welcome back to "kudlow report." i'm larry kudlow. in this half hour, th

nbc's anne thompson joins me now from rio de janeiro and has been traveling with the pope. ann, pictures have been amazing. the security issue, terrifying. but with a was most compelling really was the pictures of him with people in the villas. talk about that. >> oh, andrea, i mean he has put a new face on the catholic church with his personal style. the outreach. this is a man who walked through truly one of rio's worst places, a place where people live on as little as $1.30 a day, where gangs and crime are rampant and he walked through there like he was walking down 5th avenue in new york city. he's very confident. he reaches out to babies. i swear to god, there is not -- or he reaches out to people. i swear to god there's not a baby he hasn't kissed here in rio on this trip. he stops constantly. today while he was on his way to the archbishop's palace we saw him stop for a little boy who just didn't want to let go of him. he kept hugging the pope and hugging the pope and finally when the little boy was brought down by the security guards, he just burst into tears. but th

and as nbc's anne thompson reports, pope francis has been trying to connect those worlds with an appealhat has been drawing remarkable crowds. r7 were on copacabana beach, a rock star reception. millions here for world youth day. one young woman so overcome she could barely get the words out, until the pope came to the rescue. unlike monday's mayhem, this ride is shorter and safe. security everywhere you look. warships off the coast. soldiers among the tourists along the beach. sharpshooters on the roof overlooking the pope's speech at a soccer field. this is a big test for rio, which will host soccer's world cup next year and the 2016 summer olympics. security for both events will be built from this $48 million command center. 1,000 traffic and security cameras were positioned across the metro area. >> you can see the routes. >> reporter: these are the papal routes here? >> yeah. yeah. >> reporter: pope francis shows no indication he is worried about security, confidently walking through one of rio's most dangerous slums, right at home among the poorest of the poor. an advocate for soc

anne thompson is there. >> reporter: good morning, lester. it's an incredible scene here at copacabana beach. 3 million people on the sand, more coming for the pope's final mass and word youth day. the pope just got a bird's-eye view as he flew over by chopper to instead of getting in the popemobile and actually coming here. now, some people were here 24 hours sleeping on the beach. they brought sleeping bags and tarps. many bringing the flags of their nations. there are some 170 countries represent here. in speak to get crowd in last night's vigil the pope called on young people could be athletes of christ. and he said, jesus offers them something more than the world cup. but the pope's strongest words were directed at the church itself and its leadership. meeting with the bishops, he criticized the church for being too cold and too distant. and asked the very tough question, are we a church that can still warm people's hearts. now, pope francis has been treated like a rock star here. he has accepted all kinds of gifts. kissed every baby he'

nbc's anne thompson was with with the pope on this historic trip all the way and the flight back to rome joins us now. what a whirlwind trip and what an amazing visit. first of all twauk about what he said on the flight home about gay priests. >> well, he was asked a question about the so-called gay lobby here at the vatican, andrea. and in responding, he said, if someone were gay and they were searching for the lord and they have good will, who am i to judge? and that was genuinely striking. he went on to say that gay people should not be marginalized and that has been part of his mission, a mission of mercy, if you will. he is always trying to reach out to the people who society seems to mornarginalize but his outre to gays is significant because it is something the catholic chu church has not done. >> he also spoke about the issue of women in the clergy and i guess he said that the issue has not been studied enough but he didn't dismiss it out of hand. i'm not sure what your takeaway was from that. >> here's my take on it. first of all, he said that women need to have a deeper role in

ann thompson has the latest from rio de janeiro. good morning, ann. >> good morning natalie.is is trying to connect the two worlds. a catholic woodstock and pope francis got a rock star reception. from a million here for world youth day. one young woman so overcome she could barely get the words out until the pope came to the rescue. unlike monday's mayhem, this ride in rio was joyous and safe. security is now everywhere you look. warships off the coast, shoulders among the tourists along the beach. sharp shooters on the roof overlooking the pope's speech at a soccer field. this is a big test for rio which will host soccer's world cup last year and the 2016 summer olympics. security for both events will be run from this brand new $48 million command center. this br million command center. he assembled the latest technology including more than 1,000 traffic and security cameras positioned across the metro area. >> you can see the roots. >> yeah. >> these are the papal routes here? >> yeah. >> pope francis shows no indication he is worried about security, walking through one of

nbc's anne thompson is traveling with the papal party in rio de janei janeiro. ann, good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, matt. we understand this is a chance for pope francis to catch up with his younger sister, maria ele elena, who is in for argentina. for security forces, it's a chance to regroup after heart-stopping moments on the pope's first day in rio. the arrival of the pope brought an eruption of joy, but quickly, the excitement threatened to overwhelm pope francis's security. his car swarmed and brought to a standstill several times by eager crowds. the pope appeared to love every minute, as well wishers reached in, even stopping to kiss a baby. >> obviously, he desires to have very direct contact with the people and not a militarization. >> reporter: the largest police operation in the city's history, rio officials blame the confusion on a wrong turn by the pope's driver. officially welcomed by brazil's president at the governor's palace, francis said he brings neither gold nor silver to the nation hosting him this day, but the most precious

anne thompson is in rio with more. good morning. >> reporter: good morning, jenna. pope francis is seeing the kind of reception here in rio that the leader of the catholic church has not seen in decades. pope francis himself is reaching out to the people. when you see him here in rio, there's not a picture he won't take, a baby he won't kiss. he accepts all the gifts given to him. it is extraordinary. in return, the people are showering him with affection. last night, as he made his way to the stage people stood ten deep here just to get a glimpse of him. at times, the pope mobile looked like a moving basketball hoop. people were throwing t-shirts and flags at him. his security detail has gotten a lot of gray hair on this trip because of the outreach. this reinforces the message he wants a church closer to the people and a church that embraces those in society. we have seen him meet with drug addicts and young criminal offenders. he took a walk through one of rio's most dangerous neighborhoods. the other interesting thing is last night he talked about the sex abuse

>> anne thompson there at the vatican.ght killing at least 38 people, as many as 49 people onboard the bus when it ripped through a guardrail and plunged 100 feet into a ravine. t the. >>> and the latest on a horrific train crash in spain. the death toll has risen by one as an american passenger succumb to her injuries. janet, good morning. >> reporter: hi, natalie, there is so much sadness in this neighborhood today. when they left their home here, it was to attend their daughter's wedding in europe. and while the couple initially survived that train accident, the mother of the bride has now died. >> my wife, unfortunately, she was sitting on the side where the train flipped over. >> reporter: it's been a weekend of grief, shock and pain for bobby. after celebrating their daughter's wedding in rome, the couple decided to take a trip to spain. bobby wanted to show mika his spanish family roots. it turned into a nightmare. >> all she wanted was for me to hug her. and that's what i could do. >> bobby only had minor injuries.

ann thompson is in rome for us this morning.good morning to you. >> the five words the pope spoke who am i to judge, has people talking about what appears to be a change in attitudes toward gay priests and gay people. >> reporter: surprise is a hallmark of pope francis. from paying his own hotel bill the day after he was elected to his love of the crowd but nothing stunned the catholic world like his comments on the flight back from rio. toward the end of an extraordinary hour and 20 minute press conference, asked about the gay lobby inside the vatican, the pope said "if a person is gay and seeks the lord and has goodwill, who am i to judge that person? >> i think it's a good idea. >> when pope francis said he isn't going to judge anyone this is a tremendous breakthrough for the vatican. this is what the modern church should be about. >> at chicago's holy name cathedral opinions were divided. >> i don't think he would ever condone gay marriage. it's just not natural. but there's a difference between supporting someone who is gay

ann thompson was there. >> reporter: not many masses start like this. ♪ ♪ >> reporter: more than 3 millionob dance, but then not every sunday mass is celebrated by pope francis. during this world youth day event, the pope sought to bridge divides, the old and the young, the rich and the poor and most importantly the church and its people. this group from wisconsin joining the parade of 180 nations on the beach. >> it's really incredible to know that there's people from all these different nation who is are doing the same thing as we are. >> reporter: throughout the week to connect with the massive crowds, the pope followed the advice of his namesake, reach often and when necessary use words. he reached out to the people and was mobbed in return, creating headaches for the security. the hope seemed to love every moment of it, donning the head dress of brazil's people, kissing children lifted to him, creating a personal bond that florida's angela lazaro will remember the rest of her life. >> not many people with say that,tha that, i will remember the rest of my life. >> he told us not all pe