Pope Benedict XVI tries to convert Spain's pagan socialists.

From the Gulf Times of Doha, Qatar:

Benedict XVI stresses family values at start of Spain visit

VALENCIA, Spain: Pope Benedict XVI launched a message in favour of the traditional family yesterday at the start of his two-day visit to an increasingly secular Spain, where the government has angered the Vatican by legalising gay marriage.

The family founded on the union between man and woman was an “irreplaceable” institution, the Pontiff said on arrival in the eastern city of Valencia.

Speaking to tens of thousands of ecstatic believers in front of a basilica later on, he said concord and fidelity between parents helped to foster pastoral vocations within families.

Later in the afternoon, Benedict held meetings with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

The Pope came to Valencia to close the fifth Catholic World Meeting of Families.

Today, the Pope will celebrate a mass which is expected to draw more than 1 million people.

Valencia was decorated in yellow-and-white drapes and flowers, the Vatican colours, which alternated with black ribbons paying tribute to the 42 victims of Spain’s worst underground train accident on Monday.

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world had come to see the 79-year-old Pontiff on his third trip abroad since his election in April 2005.

Benedict previously made papal visits to his native Germany and to Poland.

Believers lined the streets cheering, chanting, waving flags and balloons and tossing confetti on the Popemobile as the Pope smiled and waved back at them.

After welcome ceremonies at the airport, Benedict visited the Jesus underground station.

He prayed for the victims of Monday’s accident, laying a wreath at the station’s entrance in the presence of fire-fighters who participated in the rescue effort.

The Pope’s visit came under criticism from leftist and ecology groups accusing Valencia’s conservative city authorities of wasting public money on promoting one religion in a secular state.

The city has not disclosed the budget of the Pope’s visit, but the Socialist opposition estimated it at more than 30 million euros ($36 million).