There are many of the same people who have taken to the streets over austerity measures, but this time, they have a new target for their anger.
These scenes followed marches in Madrid yesterday against the cost of the Pope's visit to tax payers estimated at some 50 million Euros. As night fell, the protests turned violent. Police made dozens of arrests and a series of clashes as they tried to clear the capital central South Square.
Pope Benedict will address more than a million catholic pilgrims who flocked to Spain for World Youth Day. Among them, a student from Mexico who was arrested on suspension of planning a gas attack on this anti-Pope demonstration. The visit's proved deeply divisive in the country that is facing harsh cuts in an effort to stabilize its economy.
"I am protesting against paying for the Pope's visit with our money. I think there are better things to spend it on. We could use this money to help other causes and it's really not necessary that the Pope comes to visit us."
In Madrid, preparations were being finalized too. Two hundred booths have been set up in one of the city's parks for more than 2,000 priests will hear confessions from pilgrims in a variety of languages. Some two thirds of those attending are expected to be Spanish. They will be keened of these scenes. Don't set the tone for the visit.
Steve Carroll, Sky News.
