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A religious procession in Barcelona celebrates rain during a severe drought in northeast Spain

Emilio Morenatti

Associated Press

Tags: World news, Climate, Religion, environment
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Worshippers carry an image of the Holy Christ of the Blood while it rains, during a procession through the streets of downtown Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, March 9, 2024. Preceded by nine days of prayers and emulating a documented historical tradition dating back five hundred years, worshippers requested rain as Catalonia last month declared drought emergency for the area of around 6 million people including the city of Barcelona. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Worshippers cover the image of the Holy Christ of the Blood with a plastic sheet while it rains, during a procession asking for rain through the streets of downtown Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, March 9, 2024. Preceded by nine days of prayers and emulating a documented historical tradition dating back five hundred years, worshippers requested rain as Catalonia last month declared drought emergency for the area of around 6 million people including the city of Barcelona. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Tourists dine in a restaurant as an image of the Holy Christ of the Blood carried by worshippers is reflected on the window during a procession asking for rain through the streets of downtown Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, March 9, 2024. A religious procession organised by the Brotherhoods of the Archdiocese of Barcelona marched through downtown asking for rain coinciding with just the rainiest day of the year. Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia declared a drought emergency for the area of around 6 million people including the city of Barcelona. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Worshippers hold candles during a procession asking for rain through the streets of downtown Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, March 9, 2024. A religious procession organised by the Brotherhoods of the Archdiocese of Barcelona marched through the city downtown asking for rain coinciding with just the rainiest day of the year. Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia declared a drought emergency for the area of around 6 million people including the city of Barcelona. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Worshippers carry an image of the Holy Christ of the Blood during a procession asking for rain through the streets of downtown Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, March 9, 2024. A religious procession organised by the Brotherhoods of the Archdiocese of Barcelona marched through the city downtown asking for rain coinciding with just the rainiest day of the year. Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia declared a drought emergency for the area of around 6 million people including the city of Barcelona. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
A worshipper holds a program announcing the procession of the Holy Christ of the Blood, as they march asking for rain through the streets of downtown Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, March 9, 2024. A religious procession organised by the Brotherhoods of the Archdiocese of Barcelona marched through the city downtown asking for rain coinciding with just the rainiest day of the year. Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia declared a drought emergency for the area of around 6 million people including the city of Barcelona. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Worshippers carry an image of the Holy Christ of the Blood inside the Santa Maria del Pi church after a procession asking for rain through the streets of downtown Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, March 9, 2024. A religious procession organised by the Brotherhoods of the Archdiocese of Barcelona marched through the city downtown asking for rain coinciding with the rainiest day of the year. Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia declared a drought emergency for the area of around 6 million people including the city of Barcelona. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Worshippers carry an image of the Holy Christ of the Blood while it rains, during a procession through the streets of downtown Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, March 9, 2024. Preceded by nine days of prayers and emulating a documented historical tradition dating back five hundred years, worshippers requested rain as Catalonia last month declared drought emergency for the area of around 6 million people including the city of Barcelona. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

BARCELONA – A religious procession in downtown Barcelona celebrated the appearance of long-awaited rain, after nine days of praying for relief from a severe drought.

Around 100 local people took part in the Catholic ceremony on a rainy Saturday evening.

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They carried the figure of the Holy Christ of the Blood, winding their way through the city’s old town for two hours led by Archbishop Joan Josep Omella.

“There are few of us, but it’s OK,” Omella said inside the Santa Maria del Pi, a 15th-century Gothic church, just before leaving, while outside the rain poured down.

Last month, officials in Spain’s northeast region of Catalonia, whose main city is Barcelona, declared a drought emergency. Reservoirs serving 6 million people were at less than 16% of their capacity, a historic low that sowed alarm among local people.

The last time the figure of the Holy Christ, depicting Jesus on the cross, had left the chapel of Sant Miquel to help fight drought was in 1945.

At one point during the procession, the figure was draped in transparent plastic to keep the rain off.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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