Pope Leo XIV is already on his way to Spain. At 8:13 a.m. this Saturday, the plane carrying the Pontiff took off from Rome-Fiumicino Airport to begin a six-day apostolic visit that will take him to Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands.
According to Vatican News, the Holy Father is traveling aboard an ITA Airways Airbus A320 and is scheduled to land at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport around 10:30 a.m. There, he will be officially received by the King and Queen of Spain, Felipe VI and Letizia, in the first event of a visit that will conclude on June 12.
A Message Before Landing in Madrid
Before leaving Italian territory, Leo XIV sent a telegram to the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, following a customary tradition during papal trips.
To His Excellency
The Honorable Sergio Mattarella
President of the Italian Republic
Quirinal Palace 00187 Rome
As I begin my apostolic journey to Spain, under the maternal gaze of the Virgin Mary, who welcomes us and guides us toward God, the source of unity and hope for all peoples, I am pleased to extend to you, Mr. President, my cordial greetings, accompanied by fervent prayers for the good and prosperity of the entire Italian nation.
Leo PP. XIV
First Meeting with the King and Queen and Authorities
Upon his arrival in Madrid, the Holy Father will hold a private meeting with the King and Queen of Spain in the airport’s VIP lounge before proceeding to the Royal Palace.
There, the official welcome ceremony will take place, including military honors, the performance of the national anthems, and the presentation of the Spanish and Vatican delegations. Afterward, Leo XIV will pay a courtesy visit to the Royal Family and participate in a meeting with authorities, representatives of civil society, and members of the diplomatic corps.
It will be during this event that the Pontiff will deliver his first speech on Spanish soil, an address that is particularly anticipated given the intense political and social context currently facing the country.
First Encounters
In the afternoon, Leo XIV will visit the social project “Cedia 24 horas,” a center dedicated to providing information and support to people in vulnerable situations. With this visit, the Pope begins his stay in Spain by engaging with one of the social realities that has been prominent both during the pontificate of Francis and his own.
The day will conclude with a Prayer Vigil with Young People in Madrid’s Plaza de Lima. This gathering will be the first major public event of the trip and the initial popular welcome the Pontiff will receive over the coming days.