Pope Leo XIV heads to Spain on Saturday for a visit focused on immigration and social justice at a politically turbulent time for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
The visit starts with a welcome at the royal palace in Madrid from King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
Later in the day, there will be a prayer vigil near Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, where 400,000 people are expected.
On Sunday, around a million people are set to attend a Mass in the city centre.
During his seven-day trip, Leo will make a speech to the Spanish parliament and bless the new tower of the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona — now the world’s tallest church.
He will also meet with some victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, the Vatican said.
Some 200,000 minors are estimated to have suffered such abuse in Spain since 1940, according to a 2023 report from
This post was originally published on this site.
