Pope Leon began his state visit to Madrid. Sovereign Pontiff urges Spaniards to abandon 'divisive speeches'
Pope Leo XIV landed in Madrid on Saturday, around 08:15 GMT (11:15 Romanian time). This is the start of a seven-day state visit to Spain focused on social issues and migration. During the day, the Sovereign Pontiff has several official meetings scheduled at the Royal Palace, including further talks with the royal family and representatives of the Spanish authorities.
Pope Leo XIV landed in Madrid on Saturday. PHOTO: Facebook/Vatican News
The Sovereign Pontiff was welcomed at the airport by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, after which he traveled to the Royal Palace, where he gave an official speech to the Spanish authorities. The moment can be watched below.
The program of the first day also includes a visit to a social center, followed by a vigil dedicated to young people, organized near the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, where approximately 400,000 participants are expected.
During the flight to Madrid, Pope Leo XIV referred to one of the sensitive issues of the Catholic Church, saying to journalists that “pedophilia in the Church is an open wound” and that the fight against this phenomenon will remain a priority.
During the day, the Sovereign Pontiff has several official meetings scheduled at the Royal Palace, including further talks with the royal family and representatives of the Spanish authorities. In the second part of the day, he will visit the “Cedia 24” center of the Caritas organization, dedicated to homeless people.
In the evening, the Pope will preside over a vigil with young people in Lima Square, one of the central moments of his visit to Madrid.
“For the love of truth, I invite you all to put aside the narratives that create divisions and polarize your social reality and history,” he said. This approach will help Europe “overcome sterile simplifications through a fruitful appreciation of complexity”.
Spaniards find themselves increasingly divided over issues such as immigration, feminism and political corruption, while historically the country has been marked by territorial and independence movements.
The highlight of the Pope's visit to Madrid will be his speech on Monday to both chambers of the Spanish Parliament, the first such speech ever given by a pope. Such speeches are rare and often become some of the most important of a pontificate, according to CBS News.
The visit will continue until Tuesday, when Pope Leo XIV will leave for Barcelona, where he will stay for two days, before continuing his pastoral tour of the Canary Islands, to Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
The Spanish authorities have announced that the schedule of the Sovereign Pontiff will affect road traffic in Madrid and in the cities included in the itinerary, with temporary traffic restrictions being implemented.
