‘Eclipse of God’ taking place, says Pope Benedict

POPE Benedict XVI warned of an “eclipse of God” as he spoke to nuns outside a 16th century Spanish monastery during protest-hit Catholic youth celebrations.

About 1,600 nuns clapped and cheered as the 84-year-old pontiff arrived at the monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, some 47km west of Madrid.

“Your lives must testify to the personal encounter with Christ, which has nourished your consecration, and to all the transforming power of that encounter,” he said.