The Primada Cathedral of Toledo hosted on January 29 the official proclamation that marked the start of the celebrations for the VIII Centenary of the construction of the temple, an anniversary that will be accompanied by a Jubilee Year and numerous liturgical and cultural events throughout 2026.
On this occasion, Pope Leo XIV addressed a message to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Toledo in which he expressed his joy for the planned celebrations and encouraged living this anniversary as “a time of grace, forgiveness, and mercy”, as well as gratitude for the historical contribution of the Toledan Church to Spain, Europe, and the Hispanic American world.
The Holy Father’s letter was read publicly during the event by the Apostolic Nuncio in Spain, Monsignor Piero Pioppo, and later disseminated by the Archdiocese of Toledo. In it, Leo XIV recalled that the first stone of the Gothic cathedral was laid in 1226 by Archbishop Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada and King Saint Ferdinand III of Castile, on the footprints of the ancient Visigothic church of Santa María.
The Pontiff emphasized that, over eight centuries, the Primada Cathedral has been a witness to decisive events in the history of Spain, including the culmination of the Reconquista and the evangelization of the New World, events that are reflected in the art and heritage of the temple.
In his message, Leo XIV particularly highlighted the value of the Hispano-Mozarabic liturgy, which is celebrated daily in the cathedral, and thanked the faithful of Toledo for having safeguarded the faith and communion with the See of Peter “as living stones” throughout the centuries.
The Pope also wished to recognize the charitable and social work carried out by the Cathedral of Toledo, encouraging perseverance in attending to the new poverties present in today’s society, and entrusted the Archdiocese to the protection of the Lord and the Virgin of the Sagrario, patroness of the city.
The celebrations of the VIII Centenary will extend throughout 2026 and 2027 and will include liturgical events, cultural initiatives, and pastoral proposals aimed at highlighting the spiritual heritage of the Church that journeys in Toledo and its projection toward the future.
We leave below the complete message of the Pope:
Dear faithful of that beloved Archdiocese of Toledo:
It is a joy for me to address a few words to you on this day when you publicly announce the activities that the cathedral of Toledo has programmed to celebrate the VIII Centenary of the construction of the Gothic cathedral. I desire that this year 2026 and, especially, the Jubilee Year of the cathedral, be a time of grace, forgiveness, and mercy; a year of gratitude for what the Church that journeys in Toledo has given to the history of Spain, to Europe, and to Hispanoamerica.
In the year 1226, Archbishop Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada and King Saint Ferdinand III of Castile laid the first stone of the current Gothic cathedral on the footprints of the primitive Visigothic church of Santa María. Thus, in this year 2026, eight hundred years are fulfilled since that memorable day. During these centuries, the primatial temple has been a witness to a multitude of events, especially highlighting that endeavor that the Catholic Monarchs would culminate with the recovery of the Kingdom of Granada and the evangelization of the New World, events that have been captured for history in the art of that temple.
Throughout this year, the cathedral will show, through important liturgical celebrations and cultural events, the rich spiritual heritage of that particular Church and its projection toward a future full of hope. In this regard, I would like to highlight the value of the Hispano-Mozarabic liturgy that is celebrated daily in the primatial temple. As “living stones,” you have safeguarded and defended the faith and communion with the See of Peter for centuries. Thank you for your witness.
I also wish to thank the charitable and social work carried out by the cathedral of Toledo, being sensitive to the new poverties that today emerge in our society; I encourage you to continue forward, because “it is not possible to forget the poor if we do not want to go outside the living current of the Church that springs from the Gospel and fertilizes every historical moment” (Apost. Exhort. Dilexi te, 15).
In this time of grace and renewal for the Church that journeys in Toledo, I accompany you with my prayer. May the Lord and his Holy Mother, the Virgin of the Sagrario, your Patroness, always protect you. With affection, I impart my blessing to you.
Vatican, December 19, 2025
LEO PP. XIV