About a million people were expected at the air base Pope Benedict XVI has attended a million-strong Catholic vigil at an air base near Madrid on the final full day of his visit to Spain.
Chants of "Long live the Pope" went up as he appeared before the crowd which, after waiting in baking heat, was soaked by a sudden rainstorm.The pilgrims are in the Spanish capital for a six-day Catholic youth festival.
The cost of the event, amid high unemployment and spending cuts, drew heated protests in the city.
However, the event's organisers say most costs will be met by the pilgrims themselves.
Celibacy message Firefighters had hosed down the pilgrims at Cuatro Vientos air base while they waited in in temperatures of nearly 40C.
But as the Pope was speaking during the evening, the weather suddenly broke, drenching the crowd.
An assistant tried to shelter the pontiff, 84, with a large white umbrella, which shook in the wind, AFP news agency reports. The Pope, his white hair ruffled, went on to finish his homily.
"Your faith is stronger than the rain," he said.The Pope will return to the air a base on Sunday for the final Mass of his visit.
Earlier on Saturday, the Pope celebrated Mass for at least 4,500 future priests at Madrid's Almudena Cathedral.
Priests, he said, must understand their "decision to live in celibacy for the kingdom of heaven", adding that men should approach the priesthood only "if you are completely determined to exercise it in obedience to the Church's precepts".
The Pope drew thunderous applause when he announced that he would bestow a rare honour on Spain's Saint John of Avila by proclaiming him a doctor of the Church.
Only 33 doctors of the Church have been proclaimed since 1295.
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Thousands turned out to see the Pope
The protest began as the Pope, joined by hundreds of thousands of supporters, took part in a Way of the Cross procession, in memory of the crucifixion of Christ.
The BBC's Sarah Rainsford says wherever the Pope goes, hundreds of thousands of ecstatic Catholics are there to meet him.
Celebrations for World Youth Day 2011 began on Tuesday evening with a giant open-air Mass where about 800 bishops, archbishops and cardinals - along with 8,000 priests - tended to the congregation.
The Pope arrived in Spain on Thursday and was greeted at Madrid's Barajas airport by King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia. He has also meet Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero.
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