Pope calls for people to be put ahead of profits as he attacks the causes of Spain's economic woes on controversial tour

Pope Benedict has denounced economic structures that put profits ahead of people at the start of a trip to recession-hit Spain where the costs of the pontiff's visit have sparked violent protests.     

'The economy cannot be measured by the maximum profit but by the common good,' Benedict told journalists on the plane taking him to Madrid for a four-day trip centered around the Roman Catholic Church's World Youth Day festivities.

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The costs of 84-year-old Benedict's visit to Spain at a time of economic hardship has reignited protests by Los Indignados and others, including gay and lesbian groups, and demonstrations turned violent on Wednesday night. 

Eight people were hurt and eight were arrested as a result of clashes between pilgrims and protesters, police and emergency services said.           

But a protest in Puerta del Sol against the police action last night drew barely 200 people and failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the thousands of pilgrims gathered in nearby Cibeles square.

Brilliant collection of photographs with this story, the best that I've seen. Here's the first of 21:

Photo: Rueters