In a first challenge of his papacy Pope Benedict, XVI has condemned a Spanish government bill allowing marriage between homosexuals. The bill, passed by parliament's Socialist-dominated lower chamber, also allows gay couples to adopt. A senior Vatican official described the bill - which is likely to become law within a few months - as iniquitous. The bill would make Spain the first European country to allow homosexual people to marry and adopt children. Belgium and the Netherlands only allow same-sex marriages.