Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Spain for tour

SHOTLIST 1. Mid of plane taxiing 2. Various of young pilgrims waving flags 3. Various of Pope coming out of plane, greeting King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain 4. Pope and monarchs walking 5. Pilgrims waving flags 6. Various of Pope and monarchs listening to anthem 7. Top shot pan of arrival ceremony 8. Close up of Pope 9. Mid of Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero greeting Pope 10. Clergy greeting Pope and monarchs 11. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Pope Benedict XVI: "I extend my cordial salutations to the Christians gathered here in Barajas and all those following this event on radio and television. I also extend a great thank you to all those _ from ecclesiastical to civilian organisations _ whose hard work and dedication contributed so this World Youth Day in Madrid can take place and bear abundant fruits." 12. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) King Juan Carlos of Spain: "We feel very honoured that today you initiate your third visit to Spain in the six first years of your Pontificate. We see it as a special distinction for our country which we appreciate and thank you profusely." 13. Mid of Pope and Queen Sofia 14. Wide of King Juan Carlos speaking STORYLINE Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in Madrid for the Catholic Church''s World Youth Day. The weeklong Catholic event is taking place against the backdrop of the European debt crisis, which has hit Spain hard. Benedict''s plane touched down in Madrid shortly before noon (1000 GMT) to a crowd of hundreds of young pilgrims cheering and waving mainly Spanish flags. Pope Benedict was met off his plane by King Juan Carlos Queen Sofia. Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and conservative opposition leader Marian Rajoy, the man forecast to take power in November elections, were also present. Organisers expect a million or more young people from 193 countries to attend the festival. The main events are a prayer vigil with the 84-year-old Pope and outdoor sleepover for pilgrims Saturday night at a sprawling air base, and Mass there the next morning. The pope''s attendance shows how much a priority he places on this economically troubled country, which has departed sharply from its Catholic traditions and embraced hedonism and secularism. In the economic bust, he may be hoping to lure back some of his straying flock. This will be the third time the pontiff has visited Spain since his papacy began in 2005. Except for a trip Friday to a historic monastery in El Escorial, 50 kilometres (30 miles) northwest of Madrid, the Pope will spend the whole visit in Madrid, meeting with young people, hearing confession from some of them, riding through the city in his pope-mobile and greeting young nuns, seminarians and university professors, among other activities. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/4e1ed27c99f2701e0f0b8e1bec6f8e9f Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork