Protestors outnumber the Faithful During the Pope's Visit

 

The reception tht greeted the Pope on his arrival in Barcelona yesterday was much less enthusiastic than his visit to Santiago de Compostela the day previously, thanks to protestors. The Spanish press reported that the protestors even outumbrered the faithful.

Few could be bothered to welcome the Pope alsong his route to consecrate the Sagrada Familia in the city, and aside from a few worshippers gathered outside, a number of same-sex couples kissed each other as the cavalcade drove past them.

One of the organisers of the protest group, calling thmselves the 'Queer Kissing Flash Mob' commented "This is not a slight against Christians in general, those who do good work and adhere to the true teachings of Jesus Christ - It is a public criticism against the hierarchy of the Catholic Church."

He went on to say how "Religion should be a personal choice, not imposed."

Other protest groups representing the support of euthanasia and abortion also protested on the streets as the Pope toured the city.

Despite the shocked reaction of Spain's leaders at the Pontiff's speech declaring that the country was now 'more secular and anti-clerical than in the 1930s', he was met warmly by the Royal family and President Zapatero and Papal spokesman Federico Lombardi insisted that there had been 'no controversial intent' in the Pope's address.