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Pope Benedict XVI has lamented modern society's 'amnesia about God' during his official visit to Spain - the day after protesters again turned to violence to demonstrate against his trip.
Speaking at the famous El Escorial monastery, where he was greeted by hundreds of cheering nuns, he said their decision to dedicate their lives to their faith was 'a potent message'.
He said: 'This is all the more important today when we see a certain eclipse of God taking place, a kind of amnesia which albeit not an outright rejection of Christianity is nonetheless a denial of the treasure of our faith. It is a denial that could lead to the loss of our deepest identity.'
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Praised: Pope Benedict XVI spoke to an audience of several hundred young nuns at El Escorial monastery outside of Madrid;
The trip to the monastery, a 16th century UNESCO world heritage site 30 miles north-west of the capital, came on the second day of his four-day visit for the World Youth Day.
The location has been seen as significant, as the massive granite structure was built by King Philip II in 1559 when he presided over a vast Catholic empire.
Blessed: He was greeted by hundreds of cheering nuns as he arrived at El Escorial monastery in his Popemobile;
Ecstatic: Nuns embraced as the Pope arrived at the monastery;
Welcome: The Pope was greeted by a nun during his visit to the monastery;
One of the Pope's key priorities has been to reawaken religion in Spain, the once staunch Catholic country that many believe has drifted from its roots.
'This is a moment for unity and reflection, it's a spiritual awakening,' said Sister Maria Sandoval, a 58-year-old nun who traveled from Medellin, Colombia, for the event.
The Pope is later due to meet with university professors, lunch with volunteers and meet the Spanish Prime Minister.
Audience: Pope Benedict XVI wipes his face as he sits at the monastery;
Greeting: The Pope met choirboys from the Escorial's Schola Cantorum after his meeting with the young nuns;
He will then participate in the Way of the Cross procession re-enacting Christ's crucifixion and death - a staple of the Catholic youth festival inaugurated over a quarter century ago by Pope John Paul II.
His meetings, and a private audience with members of Spain's royal family this morning, came after a second night of clashes between riot police and protesters opposed to his visit.
Four demonstrators suffered light injuries last night after riot police forced several hundred people to leave Madrid's central Sol plaza.
Sense: The location of the visit was seen as important because El Escorial was the seat of Catholic power;
Friends: Earlier today the Pope talked with Spanish King Juan Carlos I at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid;
Portrait: Spain's Royal Family pictured with Pope Benedict XVI outside the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid;
Kicking off: Anti-Pope protesters clashed with riot police before the pontiff's visit to Madrid;
Detained: This girl was dragged away by police officers during the protest against the Pope on Wednesday evening;
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