Scottish Catholic Observer

The Spanish town of Pilar de la Horadada, is to name a street after Pope Benedict XVI in gratitude to residents who opened their homes to young people during the recent World Youth Day in Madrid.

The idea to name the street Pope Benedict XVI came from a local priest, Fr Francisco Rafael Morato Boronat.

“The parish sees the naming of this street as a permanent sign of homage and gratitude to the families and entities in the town that helped to make the participation of Pilar de la Horadada during World Youth Day not only exemplary, but also a time of joy and generosity for all the people,” Fr Morato said.

Jose Fidel Ros , the mayor of Pilar de la Horadada, recalled that ‘over a hundred families from Pilar wanted to collaborate with World youth Day by hosting French and Polish pilgrims for three days, providing them not only with a place to stay but also with their meals each day’.

“For this reason, we see this as a way to thank them for volunteering,” he said.

“Pope Benedict XVI Street” will be the newest of three other streets in the town also named after well-known pontiffs.