Pope Leo XIV is already in Spain. The Pontiff landed this Saturday at 10:12 a.m. at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport to begin a six-day apostolic visit that will take him to Madrid, Barcelona, Gran Canaria, and Tenerife.
At 10:33 a.m., Leo XIV stepped off the plane and set foot on Spanish soil for the first time, officially beginning his fourth international apostolic journey and a visit of special significance as it coincides with the first anniversary of his pontificate.
Official Reception by the King and Queen
At the foot of the aircraft stairs, he was welcomed by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, who led the official greeting.
After the protocolary salutation, the monarch kissed the Pontiff’s hand, and together with the Queen they walked along the red carpet laid out on the Barajas runway. The procession was escorted by members of the Air Force, who rendered honors to the Holy Father upon his arrival.
Greeting to Civil and Ecclesiastical Authorities
Leo XIV then greeted the main civil and ecclesiastical authorities present at the airport.
Among them were Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez; ministers Félix Bolaños and José Manuel Albares; the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso; and the Mayor of the capital, José Luis Martínez-Almeida.
Also present were the Government Delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martín; Spain’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Isabel Celaá; the President of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Monsignor Luis Argüello; and the Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid, José Cobo, host of the first stage of the papal visit.
The Children Greet the Pope
After the institutional greetings, the Pope and the King and Queen moved to the State Pavilion at the airport, where they held a brief private meeting.
A group of children, some with disabilities, accompanied by family members and teachers, was also waiting there. Leo XIV approached to greet them personally and exchanged a few words with them.
From the Royal Palace to the First Papamobile Ride
After leaving the airport, Leo XIV proceeded to the Royal Palace of Madrid, where the official welcome ceremony is taking place.
There he will be received again by the King and Queen and will meet with representatives of State institutions, members of civil society, and the diplomatic corps. He is also expected to deliver his first official speech in Spain.
Afterward, the Holy Father will make his first ride in the popemobile through the streets of Madrid, from the Royal Palace to Plaza de Colón.
Madrid Welcomes the Pope with the Ringing of Its Bells
Coinciding with the Pontiff’s arrival, the bells of the churches of Madrid and Getafe rang in unison to express the faithful’s joy at the papal visit.
The initiative was promoted by Cardinal José Cobo, who invited all parishes of the archdiocese to take part in this gesture “as an expression of the deep joy, thanksgiving to God, and welcome from our diocesan Church” to the Holy Father.
The Diocese of Getafe also joined the call. Among the participating parishes, the Church of San Esteban Protomártir in Torrejón de Velasco stood out, where a special fifteen-minute peal of bells was scheduled to announce the Pope’s arrival in the capital.