{"id":35981,"date":"2026-06-06T18:29:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T18:29:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/35981\/"},"modified":"2026-06-06T18:29:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T18:29:11","slug":"pope-visits-madrids-most-vulnerable-at-start-of-apostolic-visit-to-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/35981\/","title":{"rendered":"Pope visits Madrid\u2019s most vulnerable at start of apostolic visit to Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pope Leo XIV upholds solidarity and personal encounter during a visit to the CEDIA 24 Horas social project in Madrid, on the first leg of his week-long apostolic journey that will also take him to Barcelona and the Canary Islands. <\/p>\n

By Linda Bordoni<\/p>\n

On the first day of his Apostolic Journey to Spain on Saturday, 6 June 2026, Pope Leo XIV spent time with staff, volunteers and beneficiaries of a Caritas-run centre that assists people experiencing homelessness and other situations of vulnerability.<\/p>\n

The CEDIA 24 Horas social project in Madrid\u2019s Lucero district is open 24 hours a day for those in need of a place to sleep, of social guidance, psychological support and basic services.<\/p>\n

Arriving at the centre after having spent time with a group of some 40 people affected by disability and illness, the Pope was welcomed by the Archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal Jos\u00e9 Cobo Cano and by the director of CEDIA, who showed him around the premises and introduced him to the staff.\u00a0 After listening to their words of welcome, the Pope listened to the testimonies of Niurka, a woman from Cuba, of Khadri, a man from Senegal, who found support and a future at CEDIA and of Alicia, a volunteer representing the many people who sustain the Church’s social outreach. Each of them presented him with a symbolic gift.<\/p>\n

Expressing his joy at beginning his visit in Madrid, Pope Leo referred to a remark made by Cardinal Cobo, saying: \u201cAnyone who is in Madrid is from Madrid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so I, too, am here among you as another Madrilenian,\u201d he said, thanking the city for a welcome that made him feel part of \u201ca large and wonderful family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Pope<\/p>\n

\n Pope Leo XIV at the CEDIA 24 Horas centre in Madrid \u00a0 (@Vatican Media)\n <\/p>\n

A place where no one remains alone <\/p>\n

Reflecting on the work of the centre, the Pope described it as a place where solidarity is lived concretely.\u201c In this home, no one remains alone,\u201d he said. \u201cHere, each person\u2019s joy and sorrow are the joy and sorrow of all.\u201d<\/p>\n

He noted that the work carried out at CEDIA follows the example of Christ, who identified Himself with those who suffer and who taught that whatever is done for \u201cthe least of these\u201d is done for Him.<\/p>\n

The Pope also referred to the song performed during the encounter, saying that its words \u2014 \u201cIn every dream I sought you, and none was in vain\u201d \u2014 summed up both the testimonies he had heard and the daily work carried out at the centre.<\/p>\n

\"Pope<\/p>\n

\n Pope Leo XIV at the CEDIA 24 Horas centre in Madrid \u00a0 (@Vatican Media)\n <\/p>\n

Stories of hope <\/p>\n

Pope Leo reflected on the stories shared by Niurka, Khadry and Alicia.<\/p>\n

He said that, thanks to \u201ca dream and a small open door \u2014 small in size but immense in mercy,\u201d Niurka had been able to offer her children \u201clife, her motherly love, the grace of Baptism and the promise of a happy future.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also recalled Khadry\u2019s journey through \u201cthe dark tunnel of the pandemic and a journey full of uncertainties,\u201d noting that with the support of others, he had found work and regained hope.<\/p>\n

Speaking of Alicia and the volunteers of the Hope Project, the Pope highlighted their efforts to help women begin anew and recover dignity, independence and hope.<\/p>\n

The gifts presented to him during the encounter also carried a message, he said. The ribbon bearing children’s names expressed the joy of every birth, while the residence permit spoke of commitment, honesty and welcome. The sandal, recalling Moses\u2019 encounter with God at Horeb, evoked \u201cthe \u2018sacred ground\u2019 that we are bound to respect in every human life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Pope<\/p>\n

\n Pope Leo XIV at the CEDIA 24 Horas centre in Madrid \u00a0 (@Vatican Media)\n <\/p>\n

A welcoming \u201cnativity scene\u201d <\/p>\n

The Pope noted that Madrid is well known for the nativity scenes displayed throughout the city during the Christmas season.<\/p>\n

He said that the lights, voices and sounds associated with Christmas are present throughout the year in places where people encounter one another in charity.<\/p>\n

Referring to the centre itself, he described it as a \u201csimple and welcoming \u2018nativity scene\u2019\u201d that is prepared \u201cday by day \u2014 or literally day and night \u2014 for Jesus, present in the people who come to the Centre\u2019s doorstep in search of help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charity permits no delay <\/p>\n

The theme chosen for the Apostolic Journey is drawn from Jesus\u2019 words: \u201cLook around you,\u201d\u00a0 and the Pope explained that these words invite Christians to contemplate the fields ready for harvest and remind them that \u201ccharity permits no delay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the wheat is not harvested when it is ripe, the harvest is lost,\u201d he said, adding that every encounter with a person in need is a unique opportunity to love and serve.<\/p>\n

The Pope also warned against attitudes that minimise the importance of charitable service in the life of the Church.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe poor cannot be neglected if we are to remain within the great current of the Church\u2019s life that has its source in the Gospel and bears fruit in every time and place,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Pope<\/p>\n

\n Pope Leo XIV at the CEDIA 24 Horas centre in Madrid \u00a0 (@Vatican Media)\n <\/p>\n

Looking people in the eye <\/p>\n

In the final part of his address, Pope Leo reflected on the importance of personal encounter. Recalling the teaching of the late Pope Francis, he asked whether people truly look into the eyes of those they help and recognise their dignity.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlms are not the same as philanthropy,\u201d he said, quoting his predecessor, and he recalled Pope Francis\u2019 teaching that those who truly love \u201cdo more than give alms: they listen, they engage, they try to understand and deal with difficult situations and their causes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Entrusted to Mary <\/p>\n

Concluding his address, Pope Leo entrusted the staff, volunteers and beneficiaries of the centre to the Virgin Mary.<\/p>\n

Praying that her maternal spirit might continue to inspire their work, he invoked her with the words: \u201cTeach us to see you always as Mother, fountain of mercy, bosom of forgiveness, embrace of hope, gate of Glory.\u201d<\/p>\n

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