April 18, 2011 – After the Pope arrived in Barajas Airport and finished his protocol appointments with the Spanish King and Queen, he then hopped on the Popemobile for the first time. The Popemobile was made by Mercedes Benz and is a hybrid Green Car. He made his way through the Spanish streets and entered Madrid for the first time. The route of the Pope is heavily manned and Guarded by police and security escorts. Every corner and every 100 meters there is a cop stationed on the side of the street. Upon entering the freeway, confetti and cheers greeted the Pope from locals and international pilgrims who waited for hours on the sidewalk, on windowsills, on terraces and even on overpass walk-ons where large banners and colorful ribbons hang and adorn the railings. Pilgrims and WYD Volunteers also threw confetti every time the Popemobile pass by. An estimated 1 Million people lined the streets alone from Barajas airport going to the Apostolic Nunciature. From the Airport, the Pope was driven to the Nunciature as his transient residence where he stayed for four days . An Apostolic Nunciature is the diplomatic headquarters of the Papal diplomatic representative known as the Nuncio. In diplomatic terms, the Nunciature is equal to an embassy. When the Pope arrived at the Nunciature, thousands of people were waiting for him outside the gate, singing and chanting. The Pope rested for a while in the Nunciature and then later that day he went out to meet the young people of World Youth Day 2011 for the very first time in a symbolical walk through the Puerta de Alcala and a welcoming ceremony at Plaza de Cibeles.

People waiting for the Pope at the Apostolic Nunciature

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Popemobile on its way to the ApostolicNunciature

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