By CatholicPhilly Staff Report \u2022 Posted June 12, 2026 <\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV traveled to Spain for a weeklong apostolic visit beginning in the capital Madrid then on to Barcelona and the Canary Islands. He brought a message of unity in diversity and care for marginalized people.<\/p>\n
Message of Love for the Homeless, Challenge for Youth<\/p>\n
After meeting with the monarchs and civil authorities of Spain he visited with the most vulnerable residents of Madrid at a Catholic facility that helps people experiencing homelessness<\/a>.<\/p>\n He also addressed the youth of the country, challenging them to change history through their love<\/a>.<\/p>\n 1.2 Million Spaniards join Corpus Christi Events<\/p>\n More than 1.2 million Spaniards participated in a Corpus Christi Sunday Mass<\/a> led by the pope in a Madrid plaza where he encouraged them \u201cto ensure that the religiosity which has shaped and defined this country for centuries is not a museum of the past to be visited, but a school of faith from which to draw even today.\u201d<\/p>\n The night before, artists, athletes, actors, business leaders, dancers, and professors<\/a>, as well as some 600,000 young people<\/a> from across the country heard the pope urge them to \u201cbe new protagonists for weaving new networks that harmonize all areas of life.\u201d<\/p>\n He told some 80,000 members of the Madrid Archdiocese in a stadium to bear witness to the joy of the Gospel in unity and diversity<\/a>, and invited Catholics to become a \u201csymphony of hope\u201d capable of speaking to the heart of a rapidly changing city.<\/p>\n Spain\u2019s Bishops, Faithful Urged to Build Communion<\/p>\n At the cathedral home of the revered image of Our Lady of Almudena, the pope urged Christians to tear down the walls that divide people<\/a> and to become builders of communion, harmony, peace and reconciliation.<\/p>\n The bishops of Spain<\/a> heard Pope Leo tell them to persevere on the synodal journey, to remain open to dialogue, to build communities, and to strengthen communion by healing fractures. The pope also met with victims of sexual abuse<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pope Leo: Be Prophet of Unity, Care for Those Who Suffer<\/p>\n In Barcelona, Pope Leo prayed in Spanish and Catalan that Catholics would be \u201cwitnesses and prophets of unity\u201d<\/a> in a divided world.<\/p>\n The pontiff visited and blessed the famous Sagrada Familia Basilica \u2013 see stunning photos and a video<\/a>. He reflected on the Gospel\u2019s call to faith and stressed that authentic belief in Christ is incompatible with violence, indifference, and neglect of those who suffer.<\/p>\n In Montserrat, he visited the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat<\/a>. He called upon Christians to accept the Virgin Mary\u2019s invitation to always look to Christ who shows mercy, reconciliation, truth and gentleness and \u201cexposes the violence that can lurk in our words and attitudes.\u201d He also encouraged the abbey\u2019s Benedictine monks and their commitment to silent prayer<\/a>.<\/p>\n After visiting a prison and telling inmates<\/a> that \u201cno situation causes the Lord to turn His gaze away from us,\u201d Pope Leo journeyed to the Canary Islands and addressed the migration crisis.<\/p>\n \u2018Mutual Enrichment\u2019 of Migration Important for Society, Pope Says<\/p>\n Speaking to representatives of organizations that rescue and care for migrants, he issued an urgent appeal for compassion, responsibility and solidarity<\/a>, insisting that \u201chuman dignity has no passport and does not lose its value when crossing a border.\u201d<\/p>\n Pope Leo was visibly moved by an encounter with migrants<\/a> on the island of Tenerife at an emergency shelter for migrants<\/a> arriving by boat on the Atlantic Ocean.<\/p>\n He listened to the migrants\u2019 personal stories and told them, \u201cI carry you in my heart.\u201d He prayed that no storm may ever drive them away from feeling the presence of Christ.<\/p>\n