It was one of the most emotional moments of Pope Benedict’s visit to Spain. Yet the event itself was overshadowed by the two much larger gatherings of the papal visit: Mass outside the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and the dedication of Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia Church in Barcelona. The event I’m referring to is the ...read more

And then it was time for Spain to say goodbye to Pope Benedict, at least until next year for World Youth Day Madrid.   Upon his arrival at the International airport of Barcelona, the Pope  had a private meeting with the President of the Spanish Government, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. King Juan Carlos I of Spain ...read more

Following the Dedication of the Church of Sagrada Familia, Pope Benedict went on to pray the Angelus with the tens of thousands gathered in the square outside. Before praying the Angelus,  the Pope expressed his great joy in having had the opportunity to dedicate the Church of Sagrada Familia to Christ. He commended its original ...read more

It was an event over 120 years in the making. A day that Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi had always dreamed about. The day that the greatest work of his life and career would be consecrated by the leader of the Catholic Church. The Sagrada Familia Church garners over 4 million visitors a year, but up ...read more

The first Mass of the Pope’s Apostolic Visit to Spain took place in Obradoiro Square next to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The square was filled to capacity with over 7,000 people  present, including an estimated 600 priests and 100 Cardinals and Bishops. Another 20,000 people were in the vicinity for the event. The ...read more

‘VIVA PAPA’ was shouted out by the 6,000 faithful gathered in the Plaza Obradoiro to greet the Pope as he arrived at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Pope Benedict got the full pilgrim experience at the Cathedral. He was given a pilgrim cape with the symbolic scallops adorning it. The scallop signifies the symbol ...read more