{"id":1011841,"date":"2026-06-07T20:33:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-07T20:33:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1011841\/"},"modified":"2026-06-07T20:33:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T20:33:18","slug":"day-two-in-spain-what-legacy-are-we-leaving-for-the-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1011841\/","title":{"rendered":"Day two in Spain: \u2018What legacy are we leaving for the future?\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Kielce Gussie \u2013 Madrid<\/b><\/p>\n

More than 1.2 million people celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi with Pope Leo XIV in the Plaza de Cibeles\u2014a famous symbol of the city of Madrid\u2014on the second day of his Apostolic Journey to Spain.<\/p>\n

\"More<\/p>\n

\n More than one million people filled the area around Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid \u00a0 (@Vatican Media)\n <\/p>\n

Surrounded by pilgrims from across the world, the Pope reflected on the mystery the Church commemorates on this day, stressing that in Spain, Corpus Christi is more than just a liturgical celebration. The Catholic traditions in which the Spanish faith and history are rooted, including floral arrangements and solemn processions, \u201chave for centuries shaped the piety, art, music, architecture and life of the Spanish people.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, he stressed that these are not meant to be seen as part of an exhibition or folklore. Rather, a profession of faith.<\/p>\n

More than looking back at the history of the country, Pope Leo outlined a task for \u201cSpain today and in the future: to 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

\"Traditional<\/p>\n

\n Traditional flower arrangements decorating the streets leading up to the piazza \u00a0 (@Vatican Media)\n <\/p>\n

Jesus present in the Eucharist, he highlighted, can help make us into bread \u201cthat is broken, given, and offered\u201d in a way that brings fullness to ourselves, our families, and our countries.<\/p>\n

Seeing the Pope is a highlight<\/b> <\/p>\n

Celebrating the feast day and hearing of Pope Leo\u2019s presence drove some pilgrims to travel from afar to the morning Mass. Marianne drove from Toledo, Spain, at 4 in the morning to wait hours to see the Pope pass by in the popemobile before the liturgy.<\/p>\n

She acknowledged how unique an opportunity it is to be able to \u201ccome to see him very close\u201d in Madrid.<\/p>\n

Augustinian Recollect Friar Francisco from Costa Rica has a religious brotherly connection with the Pope and was moved to see how many people have come to see Pope Leo.<\/p>\n

With about 600,000 people present at the youth prayer vigil on Saturday and over a million at the Mass on Sunday morning, Francisco highlighted how beautiful it is to share the experience with so many young people. The large crowds show \u201cthat the faith here in Spain is actually quite alive.\u201d It gives him hope and \u201clight to move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

For others, like Alexia, the Mass was in her \u201cbackyard\u201d. Hailing from Madrid, she was able to sleep in until 5:30 am and still manage to get a spot. Yet, nothing would have prevented her from attending. \u201cIt’s so worth it. If I had to come here at 4 am, I would be here!\u201d<\/p>\n

For Alexia, the opportunity to see the Pope is always something special\u2014even if she had seen him just last year during the Jubilee. She believes his message \u201cis alive; it\u2019s strong; it has meaning, and it has changed us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Celebrating<\/p>\n

\n Celebrating the feast day and hearing Pope Leo\u2019s presence drove some pilgrims to travel from far to the Mass in the morning \u00a0 (@Vatican Media)\n <\/p>\n

The future depends on our authentic greatness<\/b> <\/p>\n

Artists, athletes, actors, business leaders, dancers, and professors helped close this second day in Madrid for Pope Leo, who challenged them to be \u201cnew protagonists\u201d in bringing together the bonds of dialogue, hope, and solidarity in a world which seems to grow ever more fragmented.<\/p>\n

One of those who addressed the Pope was actor Antonio Banderas. He reflected on the enduring relationship between faith and artistic expression, while athletes Teresa Perales and Carolina Mar\u00edn highlighted the values of resilience, humility and solidarity learned through sport.<\/p>\n

\"Actor<\/p>\n

\n Actor Antonio Banderas shared his own testimony with the Pope \u00a0 (@Vatican Media)\n <\/p>\n

The Pope posed a number of deep questions to reflect on:
\u00a0<\/p>\n