Leo XIV from 6 to 12 June in Spain, the return of a pontiff after 15 years. The knots of migrants and abuse
The Pope's fourth apostolic journey, after Africa, Principality of Monaco and Turkey-Lebanon
Key points
It is a long-awaited return. A Pope after 15 years is returning to Spain, which for many years is no longer a Catholic monolith, but certainly remains a "symbolic country" for the Church of Rome. Leo will make from 6 to 12 June a trip that will touch on Madrid, Barcelona, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Prevost's new apostolic journey is already the fourth in just over a year since his election and comes shortly after the very long one to Africa. The last Pontiff to visit the Iberian land was Benedict XVI, 15 years ago, while as is known Francis has never gone, underlining the marginality of Europe in his 'pastoral agenda' (he has also never officially gone to France, where instead Leo will go in September).
From the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Familia to the masses and speeches in the stadiums, passing through visits to prisoners in jail and migrants in reception centres, Prevost's mission is not without its problems, from the internal 'political' ones - the Catalans are 'indignant' because he will speak in Castilian, the Podemos deputies who will not be at the Cortes for the official speech - but there is also the issue of the scourge of abuse, raised by the press. The Pope is expected to meet with a group of victims, a private meeting that should take place in Madrid.
The Pontiff's speeches in a country ruled by socialists, in the front line against wars
On 6 June, the Pope will land in the capital where he will be welcomed by Spanish King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whom he met in Rome a few days ago. The first official appointment on the agenda will therefore be the courtesy visit to the Royals, followed by the meeting with the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps, and on that occasion the awaited political message will arrive, which will probably touch on issues related to the war and not only: a very delicate key given the very hard stance of the Spanish government also towards the NATO positions - but certainly the difficulties for the majority due to the ongoing scandals in the socialist camp will have their weight in this phase - compared to other European countries with respect to the conflict in the Middle East. On Sunday 7 June, the Pope will hold mass in the Plaza de Cibeles, and then meet privately with members of the Augustinian order. He will then move to the Movistar Arena for the event 'Weaving networks with the world of culture, art, economy and sport'. Monday 8 June will open with institutional meetings, from Prime Minister Sánchez to members of Parliament. Then, in the headquarters of the Episcopal Conference, it will be the turn of the Spanish bishops' reception, prayer and homage to the Virgin of Almudena, patron saint of Madrid. In the evening, the Santiago Bernabeu stadium will host the meeting with the diocesan community. The last appointment before leaving Madrid, Tuesday 9 June, is the Pope's greeting to the volunteers.
In Barcelona for the Sagrada Familia, then to the Canaries, on the migrant route
On the afternoon of 9 June, Leo will arrive in Barcelona: the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ and the celebration of mass in the Sagrada Familia are highly anticipated, on the day of the 100th anniversary of the death of Antoni Gaudì. From Catalonia the Pope will then fly to the Canary Islands, which are not a random destination. They were chosen because they are one of the territories at the forefront of the management of the flow of migrants arriving in Europe, as also confirmed by Prime Minister Sanchez. The issue of 'sensitivity' for migrants will be 'very present' in Leo XIV's visit, he said. The first engagement in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria will be a meeting with the realities that deal with migration in the port of Arguineguín, after which mass will be celebrated. On 12 June, the Pope will reach Santa Cruz de Tenerife, again with migrants as protagonists of the stage: he will meet the guests of the temporary reception centre Las Raices. Then mass at the port and the return flight to Rome.
