REUTERS, Madrid

Over a million people filled the streets near one of Madrid’s main squares yesterday to join Pope Leo for an outdoor Mass, likely to be the largest event of his week-long visit to Spain, where the Pope said God stands with society’s poor and forsaken.

Throngs of people pressed along barriers near the landmark Cibeles Square, waving flags and shouting “Long live the pope”, as Leo arrived in his white popemobile for the event. Some tossed flower petals as he arrived in the square.

Some 1.2 million people were in the square and its surrounding streets, the Vatican and local organisers said. Leo urged the crowds to live their Catholic faith by helping others in his sermon for the Mass. He said that God “identifies with the poor, the downtrodden, those who are alone and forsaken”.

The pope also expressed hope earlier that Madrid would “remain a welcoming and inclusive city, where social life is inspired by genuine human values” in a message in a guestbook as he was handed the key to the city by its mayor.