Pope Leo arrived in Spain on Saturday for a week-long go to, his first to an EU nation outdoors Italy, the place he’ll inaugurate a brand new tower in Barcelona’s famed Sagrada Familia basilica and meet migrants who braved harmful Atlantic waters to succeed in Europe.
Spain’s Felipe VI and Queen Letizia (2R), Princess Leonor (L) and Princess Sofia (R) welcome Pope Leo XIV (C) on the Royal Palace in Madrid on June 6, 2026. Pope Leo XIV is visiting Spain on June 6-12 with stops in Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands, the place he’ll meet with migrants and organizations devoted to serving to them.
Stefano Rellandini | Afp | Getty Photos
The primary American head of the Catholic Church is anticipated to attract giant crowds on the June 6-12 journey, which additionally contains stops in Madrid, Montserrat Monastery and the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the west coast of Africa.
Leo, who angered U.S. President Donald Trump by criticizing his anti-immigration insurance policies, will meet on the final cease with migrants and organizations devoted to serving to them.
Talking aboard the flight from Rome to Madrid, Leo stated he was making his go to to set a great instance to the world concerning respect for human life.
“We may give an excellent message … of charity and respect for each human being,” he informed reporters.
The state of affairs confronted by migrants is profoundly near the pope’s coronary heart, stated Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican’s press workplace. “These are individuals, and their tales should contact us.”
Pope Leo anticipated to decry wars and polarization
Leo, who has adopted a extra forceful tone towards the route of worldwide management in current months, is scheduled to present greater than 20 speeches, turning into the primary pope to deal with the Spanish parliament.
He’s more likely to decry the wars raging world wide and urge dialogue to beat rising political and social polarisation whereas in Spain, Bruni stated.
Leo spent many years as a missionary and bishop in Peru earlier than turning into pope final Might, and can communicate Spanish all through a lot of the journey.
However when he meets migrants on the island of Tenerife, he expects to talk French, as many have come from Francophone Africa.
In sharp distinction to many main Western powers, not least Trump’s United States, Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s authorities has opened a mass amnesty program, permitting an estimated 500,000 immigrants to use for authorized standing.
Greater than 3,000 individuals died in 2025 making an attempt to succeed in the Canary Islands, usually in makeshift dinghies, in response to the NGO Caminando Fronteras.
Sanchez has been lauded overseas by some for criticizing Trump, however at house is underneath heavy stress from a string of corruption allegations towards his celebration.
Leo and his entourage departed from Rome’s Fiumicino airport shortly after 8 a.m. (0600 GMT), heading for Madrid, the place he’ll meet with Spanish King Felipe and Queen Letizia earlier than giving an deal with to diplomats and civil leaders. On arrival, his airplane flew Vatican and Spanish flags above the cockpit.
In a while Saturday, the pope will meet younger individuals within the sq. outdoors the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, residence to the Actual Madrid soccer membership, and go to a Catholic charity for homeless individuals.
