Día para catequesis y encuentros, previos a la llegada de Benedicto XVI
Protesters perform a sit-in next to police after a demonstration against what they claim is the expensive cost of the papal visit in central Madrid coinciding with the second day of the World Youth Day meeting August 17, 2011. Pope Benedict arrives in Spain Thursday for a four-day visit to a traditionally Catholic country that has become highly secular. The cost of the papal visit has already sparked heavy criticism at a time of economic hardship in in Spain from disaffected youths, as well as gay and
Policemen stand at at the Puerta del Sol square in Madrid, on August 17, 2011, after a demonstration against the public cost of the World Youth Day celebrations . Thousands of protesters chanting "God yes, Church no!" took to Madrid's streets to decry the expense of a rock festival-style, million-strong youth party for Pope Benedict XVI at a time of economic crisis. On the eve of the 84-year-old pontiff's arrival in the Spanish capital, in time for lavish World Youth Day celebrations, more than 100 groups opposed to the visit marched across central Madrid Wednesday evening.
Protesters clash with policemen during a demonstration against the public cost of the World Youth Day celebrations at the Puerta del Sol square in Madrid, on August 17, 2011. Thousands of protesters chanting "God yes, Church no!" took to Madrid's streets to decry the expense of a rock festival-style, million-strong youth party for Pope Benedict XVI at a time of economic crisis. On the eve of the 84-year-old pontiff's arrival in the Spanish capital, in time for lavish World Youth Day celebrations, more than 100 groups opposed to the visit marched across central Madrid Wednesday evening.