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Polls Closed in Greece, Early Results Out; Pope Francis Visits Ecuador; Inmate Manipulation; Princess Charlotte Christened; GOP Candidates Speak Out Against Donald Trump. Aired 3-4p ET

Aired July 5, 2015 - 15:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:00:21] FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN HOST: All right. Hello again, everyone. And thanks for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

We begin with breaking news out of Greece.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

WHITFIELD: Polls are now closed and we're getting the first early results of the Greek referendum. At issue, if Greece should accept more financial help from Europe. Tens of thousands of Greeks have taken to the streets on both sides of the vote as the country slips closer to the edge of collapse with about 50 percent of the vote and so far we're seeing results strongly leaning toward the no side. But again it's still early. Greece's interior minister told CNN his government will negotiate with Eurozone creditors.

Isa Soares is in Athens for us. So what more do we know now, Isa?

ISA SOARES, CNN INTERNATIONAL REPORTER: Hi, Fredricka. Yes, 50 percent of the votes being counted. And let me tell you that on the 61.25 percent so just over 60 percent going to the no camp. People saying no to those proposals that were on the table, 38.75 percent saying yes to the proposals put on the table by the group of European commission, European central bank and European Union.

So clearly, as you can see, Fredricka, people overwhelming going to this early stages yes, initially only 20 percent of the vote being counted gives you some sort of idea. In the last couple of days, there was a feeling that this would be very tight. But now it seems that the overwhelming number is going toward the no camp. And what this means is that according to the Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, this strengthens his hand when it comes to negotiating with Europe.

We know in the last couple hours, we know that basically the ECB will be meeting tomorrow. That's European central bank. They're the ones that are been pumping cash into the Greek banking system to keep it afloat. They haven't raised the limit of the emergency liquidity system. They have kept that steady and that's why they impose the capital controls of 60 euros a day.

But we know the ECB is meeting. We also know that Chancellor Merkel of Germany and Francois Hollande of France will also be meeting in Paris tomorrow. And we know that the Greeks have confirmed right here on CNN that they asked for more money. Whether they'll get it from ECB tomorrow, well, that is the key question. That's what many people will look forward to, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: So you say that the government has asked for more money from European allies and that would be despite the outcome of the referendum?

SOARES: Absolutely. It's ironic, isn't it? Because they said all along that they want to be in Europe. This is was what Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said. We want to be in euro, 75 percent of Greeks want to be in Europe. But we want proposals that are not so much austerity basically. In other words, some people interpret you want to be part of the club and play by your own rules. That's how some experts would put it. But he is saying, look, Greek people want to be part of Europe. This is not a question of whether you want to be in the euro or the euro (INAUDIBLE) or outside it. Really is about how much you can take in terms of austerity.

That has been the argument of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. It will make it much harder because European Union officials have always said all along that a no vote from Greeks basically means that perhaps they don't want to be in Europe. That's why it's so confusing. That's why I think negotiations in the next week will be so much harder to reach some sort of agreement, but that's also why, Fredricka, they've also had to ask for money. Because I can tell you a source of mine was telling me a day ago that Greek banks only have 1.5 billion euros left. And really hard cash and that's the concern that come Monday, come tomorrow, that people won't be able to get the 60 euros out, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: My goodness. OK, very complex situation.

Isa Soares, thank you so much for breaking it down.

Let's talk more about it, however. Let's bring in former U.S. ambassador to Greece, Nicholas Burns.

All right, so Mr. Ambassador, this is getting confusing. I mean, you're asking the people to vote on what to do next but then if you listen to what Isa was saying, the government has already or is planning to make a request for more money so is this kind of a dismissal of whatever the outcome of that referendum vote is?

NICHOLAS BURNS, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO GREECE: Fredricka, I think it shows is the Greek government continues to miscalculate about how to work best with powerful countries in Europe. You have they called a referendum. And if the no votes continue to trend and that's the final result, I think the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is going to feel emboldened and he will feel that he has a mandate. That he'll feel that we will be able to go back with greater leverage to talks with Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande and others. But I don't think that's the case because Greece now is in a desperate situation financially. As your correspondent said, there will be just very little money coming into the country. The banks are still closed. And I read the European Union as being quite insistent that they will

not renegotiate Greek debt. In fact, they may offer in talks this week will be exactly what they offered last week. And so, it's a case of diplomatic chicken here. I don't think the EU is going to blink. And what's tragic about this is that the great majority of Greeks want to stay in the Eurozone and EU but they may have just voted to propel themselves out of the EU.

[15:05:33] WHITFIELD: And then what would happen potentially if that were the case? If Greece had just voted its way out, if that's, you know, how this referendum vote would end up being be read by the EU, then what? Where is the currency? I mean, where is the life line for this country economically?

BURNS: Well, and I -- Greece will stay in the European Union. The question is going to stay in the Eurozone. If they left the Eurozone, they would have to go back to a version of a national currency they had to drop until 1999-2000. That has a lot of risks with it. And I think most people would say, including the Europeans, that Greece is better off staying within the Eurozone but there is such little trust between the European leadership and this radical government in Greece. I don't think European leaders will be inclined to give Greece a fundamental break or go to where the Greek prime minister will want them to go and that's to begin to renegotiate the terms of the $340 billion euro bailout program over the last five years.

WHITFIELD: So what do you suppose voters were trying to, you know, discern? What were they trying to weigh here? Because when you listen to Isa's live shots in the past couple hours, she said that a lot of people who are voting for no said that the last five years has not been improved so they don't really stand to lose anymore. That's what some of the people are weighing when trying to vote yes or no, many of whom according to these early numbers are now voting no, 60 percent now three hours after the polls close. So is there a feeling that the Greeks didn't feel like they really had much on the table to digest?

BURNS: I think there's two primary reasons for the vote today the no vote that appears to be the case. One is the tremendous economic collapse of the last five years. Twenty five percent drop in GDP, 50 percent youth unemployment. These are figures on par where the American great depression of the 1930s.

And secondly, Greece has been invaded or threatened by all of its neighbors over the last 100 years. It's lived a century of coups and military rule and foreign occupation. There's a sense of defiance. I say this in admiring way in the greedy people. They don't like to be told what to do by outsiders.

And I guess one fundamental takeaways in the past century and I think you are seeing that big time tonight, Fredricka. Most analysts said that this was a very close vote. It looks to be a landslide in favor of a no vote.

WHITFIELD: What do you worry Monday is going to look like? BURNS: Well, certainly, I think the first thing to worry about is the

condition of the Greek people especially pensioners and poor people who live on fixed incomes. The banks are not likely to be reopened until the European central bank reestablishes as a line of credit. That won't happen until the political leadership in Europe decides essentially how they're going to respond to this election and how Tsipras plays it.

I think he is going to try to go for broke and go for a fundamental set of concessions by the Europeans to him. He would be much wiser, I think, if he looks for a face saving solution so that his country could get back to normal and the poor people of his country could have credit to live on.

WHITFIELD: All right. Former ambassador Nick Burns, thanks so much.

BURNS: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right. And in just about an hour, the first Latin American Pope, Pope Francis, will land in Ecuador for his second visit to South America. Over the next seven days he'll be visiting some of the poorest countries in a region where some 40 percent of the world's Catholics live.

CNN's Rosa Flores is in Quito and joins us now live.

So Rosa, you visited some of the people, some of the communities that the Pope will be visiting. What are they saying about his visit?

ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The people are very excited here about the Pope's visit because this is a kind of homecoming for Pope Francis. He was born in this continent. He knows the people. He knows the culture. He speaks the language. And so, a lot of folks here are expecting to hear a very genuine Pope Francis during the many speeches that he'll deliver.

Now, just to set the scene for you briefly, Fredricka. If you take a look behind me, you can see that the welcome here, the preparations in full force. All of the neon jackets that you see, that's the national police official detail for the Pope's visit. And of course a lot of pilgrims and people flocking here to see the Pope firsthand because we're expecting the Pope mobile to be coming up this street as soon as the Pope arrives here in Quito.

Back to pilgrims and what they are hoping for to hear from the Pope. First of all, many blessings.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

[15:10:10] FLORES (voice-over): In (INAUDIBLE) neighborhood of Quito, Ecuador's capital, some people wonder why, why life is so tough. Marie Torres (ph) works several jobs. And says she stretches every penny of her $300 a month paycheck for single mother of five keeping her family fed comes with much sacrifice.

She says that sometimes she eats once a day in order to make ends meet because she can't afford to do anything else.

The lock to her humble home a thin rope tied into a knot. Her refrigerator is a makeshift kitchen cabinet.

She keeps cups and plastic wear. So, you are probably wondering, where is her refrigerator, she doesn't have one. And her ding table is a school desk.

She's not alone. There's a lot of need here. In fact, one out of every four Ecuadorians lives on less than $2 a day which forces tens of thousands of children to work to make a buck. The one abundance here is faith. Faith for a Pope who caters to the poor and makes the focus of the church about their needs. His visit to Ecuador, a symbol of hope.

It fills adults with emotion just like it does teenagers like her 13- year-old son, Steven, who carries Christ close to his heart. What would you ask the Pope for?

He says he would ask the Pope for a blessing, for Pope to bless his family.

For now, his mother raises cockfighting roosters to make a little extra cash. People may bet. When Mary wins, she makes 50 to 100 extra dollars which allows her to splurge on a liter of milk and some fresh fruit. Those are luxuries she says. Luxuries that very few can afford on a daily basis making life tougher even for those who believe.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FLORES: Now, the street that you see behind me is part of the official Pope mobile route. Here this. You're not going to see the official Pope mobile, which is a Mercedes-Benz here in Ecuador, Fredricka. We are going to see a 4x4 jeep all dressed up, decked out for the Pope here in Latin America.

WHITFIELD: Yes, I think that speaks to simplicity that this Pope always seems to embrace. So, how fitting.

All right, Rosa Flores, thanks so much.

All right, still ahead, the self-proclaimed and mastermind behind the New York prison escape is back behind bars. New details on where David Sweat is now and what happens to him now.

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[15:15:30] WHITFIELD: All right, new details about captured inmate and convicted killer, David Sweat. He is now out of the hospital and back behind bars at a different maximum security prison and on suicide watch. He's being held at the Five Points correctional facility in Romulus, New York which is about a five-hour drive from the Clinton county correctional facility that he broke out of on June 6th.

Sweat will be housed in a single cell within the facility's 150-bed 23-hour a day confinement units. Each cell has a bed, a writing platform, toilet and sink. He will also have access to a facility controlled shower.

Sweat and fellow escapee Richard Matt led authorities on a three-week manhunt last month. Matt was discovered and killed by a U.S. border patrol tactical team two days before Sweat was captured.

All right. Joining me right now is former prison corrections officer Gary Cornelius and licensed psychologist Eric Fisher. Good to see both of you, gentlemen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: So Gary, you, yesterday, you know, you talked about manipulation. The manipulation played out by some inmates and the relationships built between the inmates and the correctional workers. So now what? Is Sweat right now reflecting on how that manipulation worked in his favor or how to plot his stay now at a new facility?

GARY CORNELIUS, FORMER CORRECTIONS OFFICER: It's probably a combination of both. His life has dramatically changed from the honor block and the perks that he had at the first prison and now he's on lockdown at this prison, which is standard operating procedure of a high profile or high risk inmate. He has a reputation now for manipulation. I don't think this is going to stop him from ever manipulating staff again or trying to get some concessions from them. But his life has definitely changed. And he does have a reputation as someone -- you know, the staff has to be very, very careful when they deal with him.

WHITFIELD: And so, Eric, you too yesterday, were talking about, you know, you were talking about the manipulation and then perhaps even he felt emboldened by managing to escape and be on the run as long as he was. But now, does he also still feel, I guess, a sense of value because he is investigated, but they're probing him for information. So he is still, to a large degree is kind of on a driver's seat position. You know, psychologically, what do you suppose he's going through?

ERIC FISHER, LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST: Well, he's trying to hold onto whatever power he can get because he's not going to get any reduced sentence in this situation because they have all the information they need it seems. What we have to look with him is in doing historical review of his life, he's somebody who when he was cornered, he told, he sang, he told and he really burned a lot of bridges. He's not a safe person to be out in general population because of the relationships that he burned. He told -- back when he committed his murder of the police officer, he spoke when he wasn't supposed to speak. And even in this situation he talked about how Matt had held him back and how he couldn't -- he felt like he kept him from getting free because of his drinking. So this is somebody who has no loyalty. And this is somebody who is going to do whatever they need to do to survive. So he is looking at how can I survive? Once he survived, then he's also a planner. He had crimes planned that he was going to commit on furlough that they didn't give him furlough on years ago so he's always setting up plans. And that's probably what he's trying to think of doing right now.

I doubt he's a suicide risk because of the nature of the way he operates. But they're still going to keep him on suicide watch just in case.

[15:20:15] WHITFIELD: And so, Gary, you talked about relationships, you know and that it is likely -- there may be instructions to some of the correctional officers at this facility to say this is how you need to deal with him based on what we learned. Tell us what that conversation might be like and that kind of warning.

CORNELIUS: Well, thank you. He's a high profile inmate. So the staff is, they are going to be briefed on how to deal with this guy. There's going to be limited staff involvement with him. Only certain members of the staff are probably -- most likely going to go into that unit. He will have no contacts with inmates. Any record of dealings with him or services such as meals, showers, medical visits, everything is going to be written down and logged. Investigators are going to talking to him are there more staff involved in the first prison he escaped from. Special escort by teams with restraints, hand and leg restraints, and the video surveillance.

All inmates are a suicide risk. I can't tell if he's going to be a suicide risk. It could possibly cross his mind but to play it safe, which is what the staff is doing, they will keep him on suicide watch. He will be treated humanely. He will receive good medical care. But he is -- his life has changed. He's going to be in different surroundings than what he's used to.

WHITFIELD: All right. And you kind of concur that suicide watch really is a precaution likely?

CORNELIUS: Yes. Definitely.

WHITFIELD: All right. Eric Fisher, Gary Cornelius, thank you so much to both of you. Gentlemen, appreciate it.

CORNELIUS: Thank you.

FISHER: My pleasure.

WHITFIELD: Thank you.

All right, still ahead, a royal outing for the royal family. Erin McLaughlin is live for us in London where Princess Charlotte was christened today -- Erin.

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Fredricka. This is the first time we've seen the royal family of four together in public. I'll have all of the details on Princess Charlotte's big day after the break.

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[15:25:56] WHITFIELD: All right. Today, hundreds of fans greeted England's favorite new baby, Princess Charlotte, in her second public appearance since her birth in May. Crowds cheered on the duke and duchess of Cambridge as they walked from their country estate to St. Mary Magdalene church, the ever so beautiful. So, it was there, the baby, baby Charlotte was christened.

Our Erin McLaughlin is live for us right now in London.

So, Erin, it looks like everything just, you know, went off without a hitch.

MCLAUGHLIN: That's right, Fredricka. Palace sources tell me the day went beautifully beginning with that walk to church. This is the first time we've seen all four together in public. William and Kate looked there like they could not be more proud. Prince George absolutely adorable wearing an outfit that's very similar to an outfit worn by Prince William when William was a baby visiting prince Harry in the hospital for the very first time.

Now, the ceremony itself lasted around 45 minutes. There were touches of history throughout. The baptismal font that was used is a very ornate font, called the lily font, is normally kept with the crown jewels in the tower of London. So they went through a lot of effort to bring that to (INAUDIBLE) for the baptism. We also understand that Charlotte was baptized using holy water from the river Jordan. So an incredibly special occasion capped off with tea and cake at the estate with a small reception afterwards as well a photo session with a famed photographer, Mario Testino (ph).

WHITFIELD: Only the best for this couple. So now, what about the godparents? Has it been, you know, revealed who Princess Charlotte's godparents will be or are?

MCLAUGHLIN: There was a lot of speculation as to who William and Kate would choose. No famous names. It turns out Prince Harry, Pippa, they didn't make the cut. They chose very close family friends of William and Kate as well as cousins.

Now interestingly, Laura Fellowes is one of the individuals that was chosen to be a godparent and she's interesting because she is William's cousin. Her mother is Princess Diana's sister's daughter. And Princess Diana really having a tremendous influence throughout this ceremony. We know that Charlotte's middle name was Diana. The church that was chosen was the actually the very same church that was used to baptize Princess Diana. Mario Testino (ph), Fredricka, turns out with one of Princess Diana's very favorite photographers.

WHITFIELD: And then, this also taking place very close to the late Princess Diana's birthday, too, right? So lots of connections.

All right, Erin McLaughlin, thank you. I know you're having audio problems. So glad to you are back with us.

All right, good job. Thanks, Erin. Appreciate it.

All right, coming up next, a war of words between Donald Trump and Republicans continues, now another GOP candidate weighing in. Sunlen Serfaty is live for us in Washington. SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A lot of the Republican

candidates really sharpening their criticism of Donald Trump. All the latest in this back and forth within the Republican Party coming up next.

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[15:32:36] WHITFIELD: Hello again. And thanks so much for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

Several Republican presidential candidates are speaking out against fellow candidate Donald Trump's recent controversial comments. Jeb Bush says Donald Trump doesn't represent the views of most Republicans. Florida Senator Marco Rubio has also taken Trump to task for comments Trump made calling Mexican immigrants rapists and so has former Texas governor Rick Perry.

But all the while, Trump is surging in the polls and as you see right here, he's in second place to Bush in our latest CNN/ORC poll.

CNN's Sunlen Serfaty joins us now from the White House.

So Sunlen, the latest attack is coming from Rick Perry now. What is he saying about Trump?

SERFATY: That's right, Fred. Well, I think Rick Perry like many other Republicans are slowly starting to realize that this could potentially be an issue that does some real damage to the Republican party because it just continues to be ever present on the campaign trail sucking up a lot of energy and the oxygen in the room when frankly, they want to be talking about something else. So that's why we are seeing a lot of ramped up criticism coming from the Republican candidates this weekend. Rick Perry today, he called Trump's language offensive.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICK PERRY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Donald Trump does not represent the Republican Party. I was offended by his remarks. Listen, Hispanics in America and Hispanic in Texas from the Alamo to Afghanistan have been extraordinary people, citizens of our country and of our state. They have served nobly and to paint with that broad a brush that Donald Trump did is --I mean, he's going to have to defend those remarks.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SERFATY: And Trump hasn't been backing down from those remarks. He's really been doubling down, continuing to defend the original intention behind those remarks. And really saying that he's not trying to get additional attention for his campaign like Jeb Bush have claimed. Here's what Donald Trump said today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I used the word rape and all of the sudden, everyone goes crazy. I don't mind apologizing for things. But I can't apologize for the truth. I said tremendous crime is coming across. Everybody knows that's true. And it's happening all the time.

(CROSSTALK)

TRUMP: Now I'm a racist?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SERFATY: This back and forth, of course, comes at a time when Republicans know the importance of reaching out and bringing in Hispanic voters to their party. So I think that's largely why we have seen a lot of Republicans like Jeb Bush. Even Mitt Romney this weekend speaking out much more forcefully, kind of noting and highlighting how this issue continuing to linger on the campaign trail could be damaging to the party -- Fred.

[15:35:10] WHITFIELD: All right, Sunlen Serfaty, thanks so much.

All right, coming up, we go live to Ecuador where Pope Francis is due to arrive at any moment now. They're all poised and ready for his arrival. This is his second visit to South America since becoming pontiff.

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[15:39:04] WHITFIELD: All right, welcome back. Live pictures over the skies there at Quito, Ecuador where, look, they are strumming up the band there but getting ready for the pontiff's arrival. Pope Francis' plane is in the air and it is circling right now and soon to make a landing right there in Quito. And this is how he'll be greeted. He is about to embark on a seven-day tour of South America, Ecuador first. And then he will be on Bolivia and Paraguay during his visits. Of course, we'll take pictures live as soon as the Pope arrives.

All right, meantime, here in the U.S., the fight against the confederate flag continues in South Carolina. Ahead of this week's vote on the future of the controversial flag, hundreds rallied at the state capital in Columbia calling for its removal.

Mike DeSumma from CNN affiliate WIS has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

[15:40:01] MIKE DESUMMA, REPORTER, WIS (voice-over): On the anniversary of America's independence, this crowd faced one flag.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think this is marvelous. This is what true independence is all about.

DESUMMA: While crying for this one to be taken down.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's been a long time coming. This flag belongs in a museum. DESUMMA: For opponents of the confederate battle flag on its flown on

South Carolina's statehouse grounds for decade, the division comes from a difference of opinion. On Saturday, hundreds of critics including members of the NAACP once again made their case on what the bars and stars represents.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is kind of saying on our state, you can't really deny that the only thing that it really symbolizes is racism.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was put up to represents segregation. And so it represents segregation to me.

DESUMMA: But supporters have said it is a symbol of southern heritage and tribute to the Pamedo (ph) state's civil war dead. Well, that's the viewpoint many here said, they still don't accept.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To honor the dead who fought on to that banner, to honor the terms of surrender and compel one to (INAUDIBLE) the flag forever.

DESUMMA: Rather, flag opponents once again argued its connection to Dylann Roof, the man charged with gunning down and killing nine people at Emanuel AME church.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Decent people, God-fearing people.

DESUMMA: Now, the question for this group, will South Carolina lawmakers finally take action in the coming days?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I come by here a lot. I'm driving by here a lot. And I feel awful. I really would like to see it come down this week. It would be great.

DESUMMA: A feeling shared on this Fourth of July.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: CNN's Nick Valencia is joining me right now to talk more about the scene there today.

So Nick, a lot of people continuing to descend there on the grounds of the capital in anticipation of what could happen tomorrow.

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via phone): Well, currently in front of me right now, Fredricka, the crowd that was here before, that crowd of confederate flag supporters and those who want to see the flag taken down, they've by in large dispersed. It started as a very tense and lively discussion, ended actually in handshake between the two sides, the group agreeing to disagree and sort of moving along.

What we've been reporting all week is that lawmakers are set to debate the permanent removal of the flag from a pole by a monument to confederate soldiers which wraps right in front -- 50 yards in front of the statehouse.

The governor, Republican governor Nikki Haley has already called for it to be removed. That announcement coming just days after a photo emerged of Charleston church shooter. This debate, this vote on the bill to take the flag down requires to two-thirds vote in both chambers of the state general assembly. That's the house and Senate.

Earlier I spoke to people on both sides of the debate including a young man who says that he was punched in the face for his support of the confederate flag.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He said, are you talking to me? I said yes. How are you doing? And when I did, another fellow jumped on me and then another. And it was just -- I got jumped. That was last Monday. You're trying to take down in place of confederate memorial, you are trying to take down the ten commandments in Oklahoma, you are starting this stuff that you can't even to handle.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All it takes sometimes is one person saying think. Think. It's just a symbol. Whether it's up there or in a museum, it's just a symbol. It's what we do with that symbol that is going to determine whether South Carolina is in the news for the wrong reasons or you see us stepping off the grandstand and shaking hands and saying this is us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VALENCIA: A recent survey by (INAUDIBLE), that's the newspaper here in the state of South Carolina says that they believe that they have enough votes, lawmakers, to conclude that this flag should be taken down. If the vote goes smoothly, then this flag according to representative I spoke to, former representative I should say, could be taken down as soon as Thursday, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Nick Valencia, thank you so much. Keep us posted. Appreciate it.

All right, meantime, we want to show some live pictures now there in Quito, Ecuador. That plane onboard is the first Latin American Pope. Pope Francis now making a land there into Quito, Ecuador. He will be embarking on a seven-day tour of South America. It is the second time to South America since becoming pontiff. But this is particularly special too because a lot of people have turned out there in Quito and it is his ambition to visit some of the poorest communities in Ecuador while on this visit.

Also there in Ecuador is our owned Rosa Flores and she got a chance to visit many of the communities and neighborhoods where people are highly anticipating his visit. But right now you had a very busy boulevard where people in very large numbers are there very excited to see the Pope on this visit. Kind of set the scene for us.

FLORES: You know, Fredricka, there's a bit of a Pope Francis effect here, not just in Quito, but in all of the three countries that he is going to visit, of course, because this is a bit of homecoming for the Pope. He was born in the South American continent. He speaks the language. He knows the culture. He knows people in each one of these countries because he's visited these countries in the past. He has a very good friend that, by the way, he is going to visit some of those friends while he's in these countries.

Now, I want to set the scene for you because what you see behind me are just the crowds gathering to make sure that the Pope gets a Pope's welcome here in Ecuador. Now, the neon jackets that you see, that's the national police. Part of the official detail here in Ecuador. We've seen them everywhere and of course this is for the Pope's safety.

Now, here's what's going to happen. We're going to see the Pope mobile, which is not going to be the official Pope mobile which is a Mercedes-Benz. That's in the Vatican. We're going to see here in Ecuador is a 4x4 jeep that's been decked out especially for the Pope. He's going to come up this avenue, Fredricka. And of course, a lot of folks here very excited to welcome the Pope back home. In essence this is his home continent and a lot of people here are very excited about.

[15:46:18] WHITFIELD: He is going to feel very home and for many reasons. After all, you talk about that makeshift kind of Pope mobile. This is the Pope before becoming pontiff who was still riding the bus while in Argentina. So, he really is a man of the people so to speak.

All right, so as we are seeing this plane taxi in, Rosa, we're going to take a short break. When we come back, perhaps we are also going to see the Pope get out of that plane and he'll be greeted by the surrounds of folks who are there, who have been rehearsing their music. We had a chance to hear a little bit of it. But all of that great action taking place in Quito, Ecuador, right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:50:34] WHITFIELD: All right, breaking news. Very exciting there in Quito, Ecuador, where that plane right there in the distance onboard is the pontiff. The first Latin American pope, Pope Francis, arriving in Ecuador and he'll be embarking on a three-nation tour there in South America, Bolivia, Paraguay, among the places that he will be stopping. But this for a stop you can see. This is going to be the welcoming. See the red carpet is rolled out. Lots of people out there. The president of the country is also among them. And of course, catholic leadership there.

Our Rosa Flores is also in Quito, Ecuador at a much more busy intersection where once he's in that Pope mobile, he'll be riding through right in that center street area there.

But first, you know, Rosa, let's talk about the significance and why this would be his first stop. Why it's important for the Pope and the message that he's bringing.

FLORES: You know, it's no mistake, Fredricka, that the Pope chose these three countries to visit in South America. All of these countries have large indigenous populations. They've got a lot of people that live below the poverty line, depending on the country you talk about. It's between 25 and 45 percent of those populations and of course, the poor. Very near and dear to the Pope's heart. So, what we're expecting him to talk about the poor. About the problems that are near and dear to the poor.

Also, about other conflicts here within these countries. Now, one of these countries, for example, Bolivia, is a source for trafficking of children and women and men as well. Some are saying he might talk about that, also. So, the ills of these countries very near and dear to him. Of course, he speaks the language. He knows the culture. So, what we're expecting at all of these events, including the welcoming ceremony, is for him to speak in Spanish, Fredricka. We could also see either chants or speaking in other native tongues and the Pope has made it very clear that he wants to embrace these indigenous cultures and make it part of the celebration of the holy mass that he will be celebrating here.

And so, we're going to see and we are going to be looking for all of these things during these events. Now, because these three Latin American countries speak Spanish, the Vatican saying that he is going to adlib a lot of his speeches. So of course, we're going to be looking out for what he has to say.

I want to set the scene for you here because we are at an intersection that is right next to the diplomatic mission of the Holy Sea here in Quito, which is where the Pope will rest for the night. I'm going to get out of the way so you can get a look. We're going to see the Pope mobile whenever the Pope gets here. We're going to see the Pope mobile come through these barricade barricades. You can see all of the neon. Those are national police, part of the official detail here just to make sure that the Pope is safe on his visit here in Ecuador. But you also see a lot of believers, a lot of faithful that are coming to this area to welcome the Pope. And of course, we're expecting the Pope to go through this area slowly. Maybe talk to a few people, Fredricka, like we've seen him before, embrace children. Sometimes, kiss babies, but we're hoping that we're going to get a close look here. And of course, all of these faithfuls coming not only from Ecuador, but if you look closely in the crowd, Fredricka, you'll see some Argentinian flags as well, so people from Argentina visiting here in Ecuador to make sure that they give the Pope a nice, warm welcome.

WHITFIELD: That's where he's from.

And so, you know, we're accustomed to seeing this Pope simply, you know, get out, you know, and start walking. And as you mentioned, he is expected that he might embrace people, kiss babies, you know, hug people, et cetera. But at the same time, when you have this kind of international travel, is there concern or have there been any discussions that they will discourage, that will be discouraged for this Pope and that he would have to remain in the Pope mobile? Any way of knowing that?

FLORES: You know, there's always recommendations that can be made to Pope Francis. But we're expecting him to break protocol, of course, Fredricka, like he always does. I've talked to a lot of people who have been kind of preparing and part of the organization and all of these countries and they tell us, you know, we're always expecting surprises from Pope Francis and this is probably not going to be the exception, Fred.

[15:55:21] WHITFIELD: Yes, he kind of does do what he wants. He has it like that.

All right, Rosa, we're going to talk again. We're going to take a short break right as we watch that plane taxi and folks are in place, including the president, who is in place, ready to greet the Pope. And of course, when the Pope emerges in that plane, let's hope we're back from that break so everyone can see it. We'll be right back.

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[15:59:25] ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

WHITFIELD: All right, hello, again, everyone. Thanks so much for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Live pictures right now in Quito, Ecuador and onboard that plane is the pontiff. Pope Francis is now embarking on his three southern American nation tour. Ecuador being the first stop. And there, you are seeing a huge contingent, red carpet rolled out. All of those who are there to greet the pope, they welcome him home. He is the first Latin American pope born in Argentina. That's home for him. And they are appears an Argentine contingent there, too. But he is taking three of South America's poorest nation in which to carry out the seven-day tour -- Ecuador, Paraguay, and Bolivia.

CNN's Rosa Flores is in Quito. And she is joining us live.