WYD, a chorus of consent and a few critical voices

Despite opposition from progressive quarters- both Catholic and secular- Vatican Insider sees WYD Madrid as a success. It notes that despite critical voices, which are not ignored or feared:

[A]pproval has been almost unanimous.

What took place in Madrid, the Spanish press writes, has been the largest Catholic assembly in the history of the Country. The majority were young pilgrims who reached the Spanish capital from 193 countries of the world who came to Madrid for the WYD. Before the Pope’ closing Mass, they spent a practically sleepless night, after a day of wait in sultriness, without water, in the huge barren stretch around the aerodrome waiting for the Pope’s return, after the Vigil Prayer on Saturday evening. And many were Spanish faithful who wanted to participate to what El Pais defined as the “Great Catholic Pride Festival” in Madrid.

The passionate response created by the Pope during his trip to the Iberian capital seems to indicate that  the “white” Spain is raising its chin again after eight years of Zapatero’s leadership and social experimentation that made the Vatican cringe.