Overview
- The Consell, which announced Thursday that it will declare the romería an intangible Asset of Cultural Interest, plans formal approval at its next plenary after a favorable January report and two failed bids in 2002 and 2016.
- City officials counted about 330,000 pilgrims, below last year’s turnout of roughly 350,000 that coincided with a public holiday.
- Authorities enforced a 0.0 alcohol policy, staffed two “purple points” for sexual-assault support, and reported no serious incidents as police, volunteers and cleaners managed the route.
- Bishop José Ignacio Munilla led the liturgy and used his homily to denounce abortion and criticize a plan to add abortion rights to Spain’s Constitution.
- The event doubled as a political stage, with PP leaders touting the recognition as opposition figures, including minister Diana Morant, pressed the Les Naus public-housing scandal and urged Mayor Luis Barcala to resign.