Will the presence of the Pope in Spain be a moment of spiritual uplift or an unhelpful distraction? That latter possibility was captured by a recent banner unfurled by indignados protestors in advance of the trip: “Fewer crucifixes and more jobs!” A mounting debt crisis has raised fears that Italy and Spain, the third- and Read more
Strikes across Spain coinciding with the Pope’s visit to World Youth Day have been averted after a baggage handling company agreed to reinstate four workers who had been made redundant. It was reported yesterday that unions representing Spanish airport ground crew had called strikes to coincide with Pope Benedict XVI’s four-day visit to the Spanish Read more
Close to 1 million Spaniards received help from Caritas to meet their basic needs in 2010. 300,000 were assisted for the first time 74% of those seeking aid were families 70% of those requesting assistance came after receiving little aid from government-run social services this is nearly 550,000 more than reported three years ago. Caritas Read more
Organisers of World Youth Day 2011 are estimating the event will pump NZ$180 million into the Spanish economy. Fernando Gimenez Barriocanal, World Youth Day’s finance manager, reported that “nearly NZ$90 million will come from abroad and will remain in Spain.” The event’s organizers are now focused on increasing registration, especially among young people in Spain, Read more
With less than 100 days before World Youth Day (WYD) 2011 begins, more than 340,000 young people from 170 countries have registered to attend. Yago de la Cierva, Executive Director of WYD 2011 said the main objective of World Youth Day is for “youth receive a warm welcome in Madrid and spend some unforgettable days Read more