The device was found in a parking garage bathroom inside the National Sanctuary of Aparecida in Sao Paulo state, the Brazilian military said on Monday.
The bomb was to dynamite with a fuse during a routine security sweep prior to the pope’s arrival. It was detonated without incident.
“It was a homemade device with little potential to cause fatalities,” the military said in a statement. “It is worth pointing out that such episodes formed part of our security forces’ training in Aparecida and at no point were civilians' lives in danger.”
Police added that the bathroom is not located in an area likely to be used during Pope Francis’ visit.
People lined the streets in Rio de Janeiro Monday, where Pope Francis arrived on the day to begin celebrations for World Youth Day. He will stay in the mostly Catholic country from July 23-28.
Anger over high taxes, corruption and lavish spending on the upcoming World Cup soccer tournament spurred Brazilians to turn out for the largest protests seen in 20 years.
The demonstrations, held in Sao Paulo, Rio and the capital of Brasilia, were sparked by a planned increase in bus fares in June.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff promised to address the concerns, announcing that she heard "the direct message from the streets" for better services and social reforms.
NTJ/BA