It was a unique gathering between the pope and group of people with disabilities. During his visit for World Youth Day, the pope met with them at the “Instituto San Jose” in Madrid, which cares for the sickly and needy.

Nearly two million young people waited for the pope at Madrid's Cuatro Vientos, where Benedict XVI held a prayer vigil during World Youth Day.

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Benedict XVI to youths: “Thank you for your joy and resistance. Your strength is stronger than the rain. Thank you. The Lord is sending us his blessings with the rain. With this, you're leading by example.”

Rain interrupted a prayer vigil in Madrid's Cuatro Vientos aerodrome. Benedict XVI was unable to complete his official speech, but even so about two million young people resisted the short summer storm by singing songs and cheering on the pope.

With almost 2 million people expecting his arrival, the pope made it to Madrid's Cuatro Vientos aerodrome to take part in Saturday's World Youth Day vigil. Young adults from more than 190 countries will take part in the celebration.

About 5,000 seminarians from all over the world welcomed the pope at the Almudena Cathedral for the first major Mass of World Youth Day in Madrid. One of the future priests, congratulated the pope for his 60th ordination anniversary. He also thanked him for celebrating Mass with them.

The pope arrives at Madrid's Almudena Cathedral where roughly 5,000 seminarians waited to celebrate Mass with him. The faithful waited for him since 6:30 a.m. when the Cathedral first opened its doors.

After taking part in the Stations of the Cross, the pope passed by Madrid's Paseo de Recoletos and Plaza de Colon, where he greeted the faithfull up close from his popemobile.

Around 1,600 young religious were met and thanked by Benedict XVI at the monastery of El Escorial. Four of them accompanied the pope through the door to enter the 'Patio of the Kings'. The cardinal and archbishop of Madrid, Antonio Maria Rouco Varela thanked the pope for his visit with the religious of Spain.

On his way to the Welcome Ceremony in Madrid's Plaza de Cibeles, the Pope was met by the mayor at Independence Plaza, one of the central points of Madrid.

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