Key facts
- Pope Leo will visit Spain for a week-long trip from June 6-12.
- He will inaugurate a new tower at Barcelona's Sagrada Familia.
Pope Leo will embark on a week-long visit to Spain, marking his first trip to an EU country outside Italy. The pontiff is scheduled to inaugurate a new tower at Sagrada Familia, meet with migrants, and deliver over 20 speeches addressing global conflicts and polarization.
Pope Leo is set to embark on a week-long visit to Spain from June 6-12, his first to an EU country outside of Italy. The itinerary includes inaugurating a new tower at Barcelona's Sagrada Familia basilica, meeting migrants who have reached Europe via dangerous sea routes, and visiting Madrid, Montserrat Monastery, and the Canary Islands. The pontiff, who has been critical of anti-immigration policies, will meet migrants and organizations assisting them on the Canary Island of Tenerife, where he expects to speak French. He is also scheduled to deliver over 20 speeches, becoming the first pope to address the Spanish parliament, where he is likely to condemn ongoing wars and urge dialogue to overcome political and social polarization. In Madrid, Pope Leo will meet with King Felipe and Queen Letizia, address diplomats and civil leaders, meet young people, and visit a Catholic charity for the homeless. Spain's government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, has implemented a mass amnesty program for immigrants, contrasting with the policies of the United States under President Donald Trump. The journey highlights the Pope's engagement with social issues, international conflicts, and the challenges of migration.
The Pope's visit to Spain underscores the Catholic Church's focus on pressing social issues like migration and global conflict, potentially influencing public discourse and policy debates within Spain and across Europe.