"Hola, Valencia!"
Much of the trip's subtext derives from the Spanish government's plans to fast-track divorce and legalize gay marriage. During an impromptu press conference on the papal plane, Benedict replied to a question on the marriage issue by beginning that, while it was important to first emphasize the positive before addressing the negative, "There are certain things that Christian life says 'No' to."
The Pope continued that "We want to make people understand that according to human nature, it is a man and a woman who are made for each other and made to give humanity a future."
Straight from the plane, before arriving at the city's Cathedral, the Pope stopped to lay a wreath at the train station where a Monday accident killed 42 people.
Later, before the statue of "Our Lady of the Forlorn," the Patroness of Valencia, Benedict was joined by relatives of the victims as they prayed an "Our Father" for the deceased.
The most-anticipated moment of the day came when the Pope received the Spanish Premier, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, a Socialist. When Zapatero arrived at the Archbishop's Palace for his audience, I'm told that a small but vocal band of demonstrators booed, heckled and whistled at the prime minister.
No press was allowed inside for the meeting and no statements have been released.
"In times and situations of difficulty," Benedict told the bishops, "recall those words of the Letter to the Hebrews: "let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, disregarding the shame ... so that you may not grow weary or lose heart" (12:1-3). Proclaim that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Mt 16:16), "the one who has the words of eternal life" (cf. Jn 6:68), and you will not tire of giving reason for your hope (cf. 1 Pet 3:15)."
The festivities continue with an evening vigil with the families and prelates gathered and a closing liturgy tomorrow morning.PHOTO 1: Pool/Javier Barbancho
PHOTO 2: Reuters/Marcelo del Pozo
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