Alicia Lopez, 32, unemployed (protestor), Madrid
“I joined the demonstration against the Pope’s visit. The main issue is the cost of the visit, especially at a time when the government is slashing social spending.”
“One Church has taken over the whole city”
“Where is all the money coming from? I don’t believe all the money has been raised privately. And they’ve opened up state facilities for use by the Church - for example schools for pilgrims to sleep in.”
“I’m also against the prominence this has given to the Catholic Church. One Church has taken over the whole city. Spain is a non-confessional state, there is no official religion in this country and we should not give so much support to the Catholic Church.”
“I witnessed confrontation between protesters and pilgrims - but from what I saw it was the pilgrims who were doing the provoking.”
“The path of the demonstration took us through the central Sol Square but when we came to it there were pilgrims there. They shouted slogans such as “This square belongs to the Pope” and “This is the youth of Pope” and “This is the youth of Spain”.”
“The police moved them from Sol, but many remained on the roads leading to the central square. Some of the pilgrims continued to shout slogans, which provoked protesters to shout back.”
“As I left the protest with my placard calling for a secular state, a middle-aged woman shouted at me saying I was the shame of Spain.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14582213
Eva Moreno, 38, lawyer (Catholic), Madrid
“I think it’s great that the leader of the Catholic Church has come to our Catholic country.”
“After all, we allow supporters of Real Madrid to fill the street”
“It’s a great moment to remember the core values of the Church like charity and justice.”
“I feel really excited about the visit - I feel young again - and I plan to go to the main events.”
“There are some who are protesting against the visit - but they are small in number compared to those who have come to see the Pope.”
“And I would say to the protesters that we, as Catholics, have the right to express our opinion and our support for the Pope.”
“After all, we allow supporters of Real Madrid to fill the streets. Those who protest should be tolerant of our opinion.”
“I think it is false to say that this visit is costing the taxpayer as the visit is being paid for by pilgrims and sponsors.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14582213