Pope Francis

RIO DE JANEIRO — In his historic visit to Brazil, Pope Francis urged young Catholics to make a “mess” in their dioceses and break out of their spiritual cages.

Francis’ exhortation, spoken Thursday during a special meeting with Argentine faithful, won him acclaim as a renegade leader of the world’s biggest church. But it also left many followers with their own interpretations of his words about the need to shake up the church.

Some said they thought he wanted them to object more forcefully about ideas that clash with church doctrine. Others said it meant pushing for social change.

Francis himself didn’t specify what to do, but he has displayed his own mold-breaking ways throughout his visit to Rio de Janeiro and rural Sao Paulo state, his first overseas trip as pope.

He worried security officials by riding through crowds atop an open-sided popemobile. He’s also ventured straight up to well-wishers.

While speaking to his fellow Argentines Thursday, Francis said Catholics should make a concerted effort to get outside their own worlds.

“I want to see the church get closer to the people,” he said. “I want to get rid of clericalism, the mundane, this closing ourselves off within ourselves, in our parishes, schools or structures, because these need to get out.”

His final message: “Don’t forget: make trouble.”