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Pope Leo XIV Begins Spain Visit Focused on Migrants, Polarization and Church Renewal

The weeklong trip signals the Vatican's push to spotlight migrants, confront clergy-abuse fallout, resolve political divisions

Overview

  • Pope Leo landed in Madrid on Saturday to start a June 6–12 Apostolic Journey that will take him to Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands.
  • He will become the first pope to address both chambers of Spain's parliament and is expected to urge dialogue, condemn wars and challenge political polarization.
  • In Barcelona on June 10 the pope will bless the Sagrada Família's new Tower of Jesus Christ and celebrate Mass on the centenary of architect Antoni Gaudí's death.
  • The trip puts migration at the centre of the agenda: Leo will meet migrants and aid groups in Las Palmas and Tenerife, pay tribute to those who died crossing the Atlantic and highlight reception and integration efforts.
  • The Vatican confirmed a private meeting with clerical-abuse survivors as part of broader efforts to restore the Church's credibility in a secularizing Spain, and authorities are preparing for huge crowds and reinforced security deployments.