Pope winds up controversial World Youth Day in Madrid

Pope Benedict XVI promised to meet the faithful again in two years’ time, when the World Youth Day celebrations will be in Rio de Janeiro, at a mass which signalled the end to controversial festivities to Spain.

Reuters/Tony Gentile

Bathed in sunlight after being lashed by a violent storm on Saturday evening, Benedict urged an estimated 1.5 million pilgrims to share the faith.

After spending the night in the open, the worshippers cheered as the 84-year-old arrived at the vast Madrid airbase that had been hit by rain, lightning and strong winds the night before.

Many pilgrims could not receive the sacrament of Holy Communion, which Catholics believe is the blood and body of Christ, because gusts of wind had damaged some temporary chapels, organisers said.

One of 17 tents holding the sacrament collapsed, injuring seven young people who were taken to hospital with light injuries including one broken leg.

The next World Youth Day will be held in Rio de Janeiro in 2013, the pope announced.

Despite controversy over the visit, Spain's King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia attended the mass.

Demonstrators have protested on Madrid’s street, criticising the public expense involved and an alleged breach of the principle of division between church and state.

The Catholic Church has condemned many of the Socialist government’s reforms, including easier access to abortion, gay marriage and fast-track divorce.

After police on Saturday prevented a kiss-in by gay rights protesters, Benedict defended a concept of marriage "in which a man and a woman, in becoming one flesh, find fulfilment in a profound life of communion".

Then the storm cut short his homily