León XIV begins his first visit to Spain: "The Church has a message for all society"

Pope Leo XIV began this Saturday his first official visit to Spain with an arrival full of institutional symbolism and citizen expectation. The papal plane landed at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport shortly after ten in the morning, where he was received by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, as well as the main authorities of the State.

After the official reception, the Pontiff moved to the Royal Palace to participate in the welcome ceremony, which includes military honors, institutional meetings, and his first speech on Spanish territory. The meeting also includes Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, in an image of special relevance for the Royal House.

Before landing, Leo XIV told journalists that his trip aims to approach not only Catholic faithful, but also Spanish society as a whole. “The Church has a message for everyone,” said the Pope, who highlighted the importance of dialogue and coexistence in a context of profound social and technological changes.

During his stay, the Pontiff will visit Madrid, Barcelona, Gran Canaria, and Tenerife on an agenda that combines religious acts with meetings of a marked social character. These include visits to homeless shelters, meetings with migrants, and a private meeting with victims of abuse in the ecclesiastical sphere.

One of the most anticipated moments will take place in Catalonia, where Leo XIV has confirmed that he will use Catalan to address the faithful. Although he acknowledged that he is still learning the language, he announced that he will include at least some greeting during the events scheduled in Barcelona.

The visit has sparked a notable citizen mobilization since early morning. Hundreds of people gathered in the vicinity of the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral to witness the Pope's arrival, while the cathedral bells rang in welcome.

This is the ninth visit of a Pontiff to Spain and the first of Leo XIV since his election. Over the next seven days, he will deliver numerous speeches and lead an intense agenda that seeks to strengthen the Church's presence in public debate and bring its message closer to different sectors of society.