Lots of news on that front, of course. John Allen has background, in what used to be the "Word from Rome" but is now "All Things Catholic," reflecting the fact that Allen will no longer be full-time in Rome, but will be spending more of his time in New York.
The Vatican page, barely updated at this point.
Rocco has a good summary and for lots and lots of coverage from many sources, keep your eye on this constantly updated thread at the Papa Ratzinger Forum. HIghlights:
The Pope’s address upon arrival:
My reason for this long-awaited visit is to take part in the Fifth World Meeting of Families, whose theme is "The Transmission of Faith in the Family". I wish to set forth the central role, for the Church and for society, proper to the family based on marriage. The family is a unique institution in God’s plan, and the Church cannot fail to proclaim and promote its fundamental importance, so that it can live out its vocation with a constant sense of responsibility and joy.
After he arrived, Benedict made a stop at the station at which last week’s accident occurred. He was then welcomed to the city of Valencia, and met with the Spanish bishops:
Continue dauntlessly to proclaim that prescinding from God, acting as if he did not exist or relegating faith to the purely private sphere, undermines the truth about man and compromises the future of culture and society.
On the contrary, lifting one’s gaze to the living God, the garantor of our freedom and of truth, is a premise for arriving at a new humanity.
Nowadays, in a special way the world needs people capable of proclaiming and bearing witness to God who is love, and consequently the one light which in the end, illumines the darkness of the world and gives us strength to live and work (cf. Deus Caritas Est, 39).
What the Pope did at a Valencia train station today:
(Click on photo for caption and credits)
More photos from news agencies as well as television screen captures here.
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