Sorry for the late update – been stuck on a field all night without internet! Anyway, enjoy:
After lunch in various local restaurants, with some unlucky East Anglians waiting two hours for food and Fr Luke losing his Metro travel pass, we all went back to our accommodation to gather things and in some cases, picnics. We then set off for the Papal arrival.
We made our way into the Masses swarming around the Plaza de Cibeles.
Having secured space next to the barriers to the road we thought the Pope would be travelling down in the Popemobile. We then experienced the world’s largest party (until the Vigil on Saturday night) where we danced with people around the world until the coverage started on the big screen.
We watched the Pope walk through the city gates and officially enter Madrid.
The Holy Father then presided over a welcome service, which we all greatly enjoyed.
Unfortunately, in comparison to previous WYDs, the Pope did not travel throughout the city to greet all the pilgrims, so we didn’t actually manage to see him in person.
On the morning of the 19th, we went to Catechesis at the Jesuit church, St Francisco de Borja, to listen to Cardinal George of Chicago, Illinois, USA, talk about being a witness to Christ. We then celebrated Mass together, which was brilliant, because it was in English!
The Blue Group – The Smurfs
