Pope Leo XIV begins a seven-day trip to Spain that starts this Saturday in Madrid and will also take him to visit Barcelona, Gran Canaria, and Tenerife. The Pontiff landed at 10:13 at Barajas airport, where he was received by Kings Felipe VI and Letizia.
After the reception ceremony, Leo XIV moved to the Royal Palace for the official welcome with the rendering of honors and the performance of the national anthems of Spain and the Vatican City State, before entering the Gasparini Room where the official meeting will take place, in which the Princess of Asturias, Leonor, and the Infanta Sofía will also participate.
There will be a greeting to several authorities in the Throne Room and, subsequently, in the Columns Room, the King and the Pope will address a few words to those present. It will be Leo XIV’s first speech in Spain, and in it, he will deliver his first messages to society.
The authorities present
The authorities of both States are already prepared in the line of greetings. On behalf of the Vatican, the following have been placed: cardinals Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State; Fernandez Artime, José Cobo, Paolo Rudeli, Paul Gallagher, Luis Marín, Luis Argüello, Roman Walczak, and Yago de la Vierva, organizer of the visit.
The Spanish delegation was headed by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez; followed by the President of Congress, Francina Armengol; the President of the Senate, Pedro Rollán; Cándido Conde Pumpido, President of the Constitutional Court; Teresa Peramato, Attorney General of the State; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares; the Minister of the Presidency, Félix Bolaños; the Ambassador to the Holy See, Isabel Celáa; the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso; the Mayor of the capital, José Luis Martínez Almeida; and the Chief of Staff of the Defense, Admiral Teodoro Esteban López Calderón. Reported by Marina Pina.
The Kings, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía receive the Pope at the Royal Palace
The visit begins with a delay. The Pope was expected to cross the Armory gate at half past eleven in the morning, but he did so 17 minutes later amidst cheers from the crowd. Escorted by a cavalry battalion. The Kings received him at the car, while behind them in the stands, the Princess of Asturias and Infanta Sofía waited, both dressed in black and long-sleeved. After Don Felipe and Doña Letizia, they were the first to be greeted by the Holy Father. The young women bowed to the Pope before the honors began with the performance of the anthems. Reported by Marina Pina.
The Pope’s car arrives at the Royal Palace
Leo XIV’s car crosses the Parade Ground to be received by the Kings at the Royal Palace.
State authorities and the Royal Family await the Pope
The authorities are prepared to receive the Pontiff. Representatives of the State powers are waiting for Leo XIV, including the presidents of the Government, the Supreme Court, Congress, the Senate, and several ministers. The Kings and their daughters are also present.
The Pope will greet the faithful in Catalan in Catalonia
The Pope confirmed this Saturday that he will use Catalan to greet the faithful in some of the events scheduled in Catalonia, although for now he has only learned to say ‘bon dia’.
In a conversation with journalists traveling with him on the papal plane, and asked if he had learned any phrase or word in Catalan to address the faithful, Leo XIV said that he would indeed use Catalan: “Whether it can be understood or not, we will see there, but yes, there will be some greeting,” according to Efe.
The bells ring in La Almudena
The bells of La Almudena ring again for the Pope’s arrival and the royal standard is raised at the Palace, confirming that Don Felipe is already in the building. The Princess of Asturias and Infanta Sofía will now join the Kings of Spain in the reception, in their second public contact with a Holy Father, as the young women were present as children at the audience held in Zarzuela with Benedict XVI. Reported by Marina Pina.
Madrid City Council gifts the Pope a unique work
The Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, has gifted the Pontiff a specially bound edition of the work A la muy antigua, noble y coronada Villa de Madrid, by Jerónimo de la Quintana, which incorporates His Holiness’s coat of arms stamped in gold leaf. The copy was handcrafted by the Municipal Printing House-Book Arts’ Artistic Bookbinding Workshop, following traditional techniques and with elements inspired by Vatican bookbinding. In addition, the Pope will be able to taste almond pastries made by the Augustinian Recollect nuns of the Royal Monastery of Santa Isabel, in Atocha. Reported by Carlos Guisasola.
Album of the Pope’s visit to Madrid
You can see the first images of Leo XIV in Madrid here. The pontiff will spend four days in the Spanish capital before moving to Barcelona.
Awaiting Leo XIV at the Royal Palace
The Flag has just entered the Armory Square of the Royal Palace. The battalion commander ordered attention, and the Music unit performed the national anthem in honor of the standard. The first 21 cannon shots were fired, and the public became enthusiastic, unleashing the first applause and cheers for Spain. Reported by Marina Pina.
Ninth visit of a Pontiff to Spain
This is the ninth visit of a Pontiff to Spain. The first took place in 1982, with the visit of John Paul II. Subsequently, new visits occurred in 1984, 1989, 1993, and 2003, all by John Paul II; as well as in 2006, 2010, and 2011, carried out by Benedict XVI. Leo XIV will spend seven days in national territory and visit 4 cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Las Palmas, and Tenerife. He will deliver a dozen speeches and have contact with the most vulnerable realities of society: thus, he will visit a shelter for homeless people, Brians prison, and will be with migrants in the Canary Islands. Reported by Marina Pina
A guard of honor formation enters the Armory Square
At this moment, a guard of honor formation enters the Armory Square, composed of the Gastadores Squad, the Music Unit, the Honors Group, the Royal Escort Squadron, the Royal Battery, and the Motorcycle Section of the Escort Group. The Royal Battery also occupies its positions outside the square and is already prepared to fire the 21 cannon salutes of honor, the highest military distinction reserved for heads of state. Reported by Marina Pina.
Leo XIV heads to the Royal Palace
After greeting the authorities, the Kings accompanied His Holiness in greeting 25 children from the Diocese of Madrid, from different vicariates. Some of them have special needs. They then held a brief meeting with His Holiness, in which the President of the Government was also present, before departing for the Royal Palace. Reported by Marina Pina.
The Pope brings a ‘message for everyone’ to Spain
The Pope affirmed this Saturday that he comes to Spain to greet ‘all of society’ because the Church has a ‘message for everyone,’ speaking with journalists traveling with him on the papal plane.
‘It is the first trip to Spain after some time, I am very happy to make this journey. I have come many times, but it is the first time on this mission,’ said the pontiff, who as prior of the Augustinians made about 50 trips to our country.
He explained that it is ‘an apostolic visit to meet the faithful, celebrate the faith, and bring a message of Jesus Christ, but he will greet all of society because the Church has a message for everyone, as you will have seen in the encyclical,’ referring to ‘Magnifica Humanitas’ published on May 25 about artificial intelligence.
He wished everyone a good trip and that it be an opportunity ‘to discover enthusiasm; there are many young people, so I have been told, by sharing the joy of faith we will be able to give a very good message.’ Reported by Efe.
‘Abuse is still an open wound’
Pope Leo XIV assured this Saturday that he will continue to work personally and also the entire Church ‘because abuse is still an open wound.’ The pontiff stated this to journalists when answering their questions during the flight to Spain.
‘I emphasize the fact that I personally have always worked to institute commissions, to make rules, and I will continue to do so, as will the entire Church, because it is still an open wound,’ explained the American pontiff when responding about the situation of abuse by the Spanish Church.
He confirmed to the media, including EFE, that in Spain, where he will remain until June 12, he will meet with victims, but added ‘that he cannot meet with all’ those who request it.
The Vatican reported this Friday that there will be a meeting with victims of abuse by the clergy, although it did not specify where or who they would be to ‘protect their privacy.’ Reported by Efe.
Bells in La Almudena
The bells of La Almudena cathedral ring to celebrate that His Holiness has landed in Spain. The bells are in full peal mode, meaning they are turning a full circle as the Royal Guard’s honors squadron approaches the Armory Courtyard. Reported by Marina Pina
The Kings receive Pope Leo XIV upon his arrival in Madrid
The Kings received Pope Leo XIV as he descended the plane’s steps. Afterwards, they passed by the numerous authorities who had come to receive the pontiff, including the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, and the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez Almeida. Also ministers such as Albares and Bolaños.
Everything ready at the Royal Palace
In parallel, everything is ready at the Royal Palace in Madrid, where since nine in the morning, dozens of citizens have gathered at various points. There are curious onlookers at the Palace entrance on Bailén street, many others occupy the steps of La Almudena cathedral, where they occasionally sing the travel anthem ‘alza la mirada’ (look up). Inside the Armory Square, where the welcome will take place, hundreds of people also wait, provided with small flags in Vatican colors. The grandstand of honor is already set up in the square, and the Royal Guard units that will render honors to the Pope as Head of State will soon be in place. Reported by Marina Pina.
Entourage of 60 people
Thirteen minutes past ten in the morning, a quarter of an hour ahead of schedule, the Pope’s plane landed at Adolfo Suárez Madrid Barajas airport. Inside, Leo XIV travels with an entourage of 60 people and Vatican journalists accompanying him during the eight days he will spend in Spain. Kings Don Felipe and Doña Letizia will await him at the foot of the steps. Doña Letizia has made use of the privilege of white for Catholic queens and has once again chosen the dress she debuted during the State visit to Egypt. The rest of the guests at the solemn ceremony at the Royal Palace must dress in black. The Kings will accompany him to the authorities’ pavilion, where they will greet the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares; and of the Presidency, Félix Bolaños, with whose cabinet the visit has been coordinated. Reported by Marina Pina.
The Kings and Pedro Sánchez await the Pope
The Kings and Pedro Sánchez are already waiting for the Pope, who remains inside the plane. Doña Letizia is dressed in white, due to the privilege that Catholic queens have to use that color. They greeted the highest representatives of the Church in Spain in the authorities’ room before going out to receive the Pontiff.
Leo XIV’s plane has already landed
The plane carrying the Pope landed at 10:13 at Barajas airport, 17 minutes ahead of schedule.
People in the streets from early morning
The first citizens who want to witness the Pope’s visit arrived in the vicinity of the Royal Palace and La Almudena cathedral around eight in the morning, many of them equipped with folding chairs, hats, and water.
The first stop will be at the Royal Palace, where he will be received by the Kings before proceeding to the Armory Courtyard. And to be front-row witnesses, the first curious onlookers, tourists, and faithful have gathered at the fences placed on the esplanade separating the cathedral and the Armory Square from early morning.
Also, in the lateral areas inside the Armory Square, citizens – workers and family members of National Heritage – are positioned behind fences.
Other faithful are distributed around the vicinity of this emblematic area of the capital, where a group that arrived at a quarter past seven in the morning carries a banner welcoming Leo XIV, with the motto ‘The work of the Church, always with the Pope,’ reported by Efe.
Pedro Sánchez arrives at Barajas
Pedro Sánchez arrives at Barajas to receive Leo XIV. The President of the Government will also be with the Kings at the foot of the plane’s steps when the Pope lands.
The best photos of the Pope’s visit
Pope Leo XIV departed this Saturday for Madrid. And there are already numerous faithful waiting for him scattered across many points of the Spanish capital.
See the best images of Leo XIV’s visit here
Visit to a Caritas center in the Lucero neighborhood
This afternoon, Leo XIV will visit the ‘CEDIA 24 Horas’ center, run by Caritas in the Lucero neighborhood, which provides assistance to homeless people and those in vulnerable conditions, and will feature a musical performance by Niña Pastori.
Off-camera, he will meet three people in a room at the center and then listen to some testimonies in the dining room.
Graphic guide to his day-to-day visit to the capital
Spain is experiencing a historic event in the coming days: **Pope Leo XIV** is making a seven-day trip from the **Vatican** to Spanish territory, four of which will be spent in the capital. Here we offer you a guide to the route he will take through Madrid.
Click here to see the places the Pope will visit
80 journalists accompany the Pope
At 08:13 (07:13 GMT), the papal plane took off, carrying Robert Prevost accompanied by 80 journalists from 55 media outlets and a large Vatican delegation that on this occasion speaks Spanish, with the presence of the Salesian cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, according to Efe.
Leo XIV travels to Madrid
Pope Leo XIV departed this Saturday for Spain from Fiumicino airport (Rome) aboard an Ita Airways plane that will land at 10:30 (08:30 GMT) in Madrid, where he will begin an apostolic visit until June 12 that, in addition to the capital, will also take him to Barcelona and the Canary Islands.
