Rome, Italy, Aug 4, 2011 / 13:53 pm
When Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Spain for World Youth Day in 18 days time he will find a country gripped by economic crisis. Despite that, the papal nuncio to Madrid says Spanish enthusiasm for the papal visit is undiminished.
“Spain is waiting for the Holy Father with great desire and hope that he will also assist a recovery on a spiritual level,” said Archbishop Renzo Fratini to Vatican Radio Aug. 4, adding that in Madrid itself “there is great expectation and the whole city is abuzz.”
Spanish unemployment is currently the highest in the industrialized world with nearly half of all young people unable to find work.
Spain “is going through a crisis of values and believes that the Pope will bring to this country a new wind,” said the nuncio, although he stressed that Pope Benedict’s mission will be primarily spiritual.