Pilgrims pelted with condoms

More than 500 anti-papacy activists have faced off against pilgrims, shouting their distaste at papal policies as thousands of Catholic youths streamed past on their way to an evening address by Pope Benedict XVI.

The NoToPope coalition lined the edge of a park on the route of the pilgrims’ march, tightly ringed by police.

Some threw red-packaged condoms at the passing pilgrims.

The young Catholics were at first merely curious, then smiled and waved and began their own sing-song chant that carried down the ranks: “Benedicto! We love you!”

The activists followed a mock popemobile to the park after an hour-long rally.

The coalition condemns the Pope’s policies against homosexuality, contraception and abortion.