Pope Leo XIV has sent a letter to Cardinal José Cobo, Archbishop of Madrid, to thank him for the work carried out on the occasion of his recent apostolic journey to Spain. In the missive, dated at the Vatican on June 15, 2026, the Pontiff expresses his appreciation to all those who made the visit possible and conveys a message of gratitude to the Church in Madrid for the welcome extended during those days.
«I wish to express my gratitude for all the work and dedication offered during my trip to Spain», the Holy Father writes at the beginning of the letter, also asking Cardinal Cobo to extend that thanks «to the cardinal archbishops emeriti and to the auxiliary bishops, to the local organizing committee, as well as to all the faithful of the Archdiocese of Madrid».
«Thank you for your closeness, generosity and availability»
Leo XIV assures that he prays for God to bless «the efforts of so many people who have made possible those days filled with joy and with brave and moving testimonies of faith».
Addressing the Church of Madrid directly, he adds words of special closeness: «Dear Church pilgrim in Madrid: thank you for your closeness, generosity and availability in service; keep opening wide the doors of your hearts to Christ!».
The expression used by the Pontiff evokes the famous exhortation of Saint John Paul II —«Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors to Christ!»—, a call that Leo XIV had already recalled at various moments during his apostolic journey to Spain.
Apostolic blessing under the protection of the Almudena
The letter concludes by entrusting the entire archdiocese to the protection of Our Lady of Almudena.
«Invoking the maternal intercession of Our Lady of the Almudena, I cordially impart the Apostolic Blessing», the Pope writes before affixing his signature.
