The confirmation of the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Spain was confirmed this Wednesday by the Vatican, despite rumors being persistent since the beginning of 2026. It will be between June 6 and 12, starting in Madrid, continuing in Barcelona and concluding in the Canary Islands. The route will awaken in the capital of Spain on Saturday, June 6, two days after Corpus Christi, with the perspective of that nighttime vigil that has been brewing within the walls of the Madrid archbishopric for weeks.
According to sources close to the organization of the massive event, both the vigil and the morning mass on Sunday will be held in an open space. The most likely scenario is the Paseo de La Castellana. Either the Plaza de Lima, near the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, which hosted the great mass of John Paul II back in 1982, or the surroundings of Plaza de Colón, a gigantic pulpit for some of the city's major civil and political events. The need for an outdoor venue even raised the possibility of the Ciudad Universitaria stage. In 2011, during the mass of the World Youth Day (WYD) with Benedict XVI, more than one and a half million young people gathered at the Cuatro Vientos airfield.
There are many ideas proposed for the days Leo XIV will spend in Madrid. As the first member of the Order of Saint Augustine to be named Holy Father, he is also expected to meet with seminarians and members of the Augustinians of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. An intense agenda that, as EL MUNDO has learned, includes the possibility of a star stop: the Congress of Deputies.
After being received by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, the Pope would visit the lower house chamber to deliver a historic speech and become the first highest authority of the Church and head of state of the Vatican to address the Spanish Cortes. The planned date would be on Monday, the eve of his departure to Barcelona. These are proposals from the Madrid ecclesiastical structure that will need to receive approval from the Spanish government and the Vatican itself.
Additionally, King Felipe VI will receive the Pope in a meeting as both heads of state. The Kings hold the title of Catholic Monarchs since the 15th century. Queen Letizia is one of the few women privileged to wear white, a distinction granted by the Pope to Catholic queens or their consorts.
The ties between the Spanish Crown and the Church date back centuries. Although the Kings have kept religion in the private sphere, understanding that Spain is a secular state, the Vatican was the first destination of the Kings on their presentation tour after their proclamation in 2014. In addition, King Felipe and Queen Letizia attended the funeral of Benedict XVI, as well as the investiture of Leo XIV on May 8, 2025.
The participation of another member of the Royal Family in other activities cannot be ruled out, or the Pope's visit to the Zarzuela Palace. During the visits of John Paul II to Spain, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía received His Holiness at the foot of the plane. They did the same on each of the three visits of Benedict XVI to Spanish soil.
In Barcelona, a vigil is also planned that could take place at Camp Nou, which by those dates could have a large part of its capacity available. In the Catalan capital, he will inaugurate the brand-new and tallest tower of the Sagrada Familia, recently crowned, as well as making a stop at Cottolengo, a shelter for disabled people without resources, as well as people with complicated life situations. As mentioned, the visit will conclude in Canary Islands, visiting Tenerife and Gran Canaria, and making stops in areas marked by massive migrations from Africa.