Big Macs Replace Loaves and Fishes at Pope's Pray-in

It is, perhaps, a divine coming together of global brands. Several hundred thousand young Spaniards will be welcomed to Madrid this week by, on the one hand, McDonald's, the legendary and controversial provider of fast food to the world, and on the other, Pope John Paul II, source of spiritual sustenance to some of it.

The tie-in between the globetrotting Pope and the global leader in burgers, fries and gherkins comes as the Spanish church seeks a way to fund yet another official visit from John Paul - his fifth so far.

Hard-pressed Spanish bishops have decided to run the £1m visit on ruthlessly commercial lines. So, while a rich man's chances of entering the kingdom of God still remain reduced, his chances of making it into the Madrid aerodrome where the Pope is to lead a pray-in for young Spaniards on Sunday are greatly increased.

Tickets to the papal show cost between £7 and £28 even though, given the numbers expected, many will only see the pontiff through binoculars. They will, however, receive a backpack full of papal merchandise, including a You Will be My Witnesses tour cap, CD, rosary and prayer book.

With 500,000 people expected, the bishops should turn a comfortable profit, which they have promised to send to the Vatican for charitable use.

Many of Spain's most devout young Roman Catholics are due to spend a full two days following a festival which will start with the Pope's Saturday arrival in Madrid - and they are expected to get hungry.

So, although Jesus managed to feed the 5,000 with a handful of loaves and a couple of fish, the Spanish bishops have turned to McDonald's. Those who buy top-price tickets will have not just lunch, but also dinner provided by the burger chain. The meals are to include "a burger, fries, soft drink and an ice-cream or baked apple pie", according to the You Will be My Witnesses website.

The tie-in between McDonald's and the church comes at a time when both need help. McDonald's last year said it was to shut 175 restaurants worldwide. Madrid's Cardinal Rouco Varela, meanwhile, said recently that while most Spaniards are still nominally Roman Catholic, fewer than 40% follow the church's doctrine.