Capital Madrid: Royal Meetings and Social Engagements
According to the announcement released by the Holy See on May 6, Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Journey will officially begin around 10:30 AM on Saturday, June 6, upon his arrival at Madrid-Barajas Airport, where he will receive an official welcome. At 11:30 AM, the Pope will proceed to the Royal Palace of Madrid for a welcoming ceremony and will meet with the King of Spain at 12:00 PM to deliver his first official address in the country.
The Pope’s first three days in Madrid are tightly scheduled. At 6:00 PM on June 6, he will visit the CEDIA 24-Hour Center, a charitable project founded in 1977, to address the issue of homelessness in Madrid. That evening at 8:30 PM, he will preside over a prayer vigil for young people at Plaza de Lima. Additionally, during his visit, the Pope will hold a large-scale Mass at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and meet with government officials, volunteers, and cultural representatives.
Barcelona: Witnessing a Historic Moment at the Sagrada Família
After concluding his schedule in Madrid, the Pope will visit Barcelona from June 9 to 11. Upon arrival, he will lead a prayer vigil at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. The highlight of the visit will be on June 10, when the Pope will preside over Mass at the iconic Sagrada Família, followed by the solemn inauguration ceremony for the church’s newly completed Tower of Jesus Christ, marking a significant milestone in the building’s history.
Canary Islands: Focusing on Immigration and Concluding the Journey
The final stop of the visit is the Canary Islands, from June 11 to 12. Fulfilling the wish of his predecessor, the Pope will travel to the port of Arguineguín to see firsthand the current situation and challenges of migrant reception. Finally, he will hold the last Mass of his trip at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, concluding this Apostolic Journey.
Historical Precedent and Security Measures
Pope Leo XIV will be the third pope to visit Spain, following John Paul II (who visited five times between 1982 and 2003) and Benedict XVI (who visited three times, with the last being for World Youth Day in Madrid in 2011). To ensure the visit proceeds smoothly, Spain’s Ministry of the Interior has confirmed the deployment of over 13,000 officers from the National Police and the Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) to provide comprehensive security.
