Pope Leo XIV says goodbye to Madrid: farewell of volunteers at IFEMA and flight to Barcelona

Pope Leo XIV ends his visit to the Spanish capital, after having met with the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, having delivered a historic speech in the Congress of Deputies, having met with the Spanish bishops and with victims of sexual abuse within the Church, the pontiff heads to Barcelona.

This Tuesday he will carry out his farewell in Madrid at IFEMA at 10:20 a.m., which will be attended by the volunteers of his visit and where he will deliver a speech of thanks. Subsequently, he will go to Barajas Airport to arrive at 1:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, where he will deliver a homily.

To end today, at 8:00 p.m. he will go to the 'Lluís Companys' Olympic Stadium for a prayer vigil, which will later be accompanied by the music of Álvaro Soler, Beret, Siloé, Conchita, Alfred García, Sergio Dalma or Sabor de Gràcia.

On Wednesday he will visit Brians prison and hold an event at the Sagrada Familia.

The Pope's speech in Congress

The most anticipated moment of Pope Leo XIV's visit has arrived. The pontiff delivered his historic speech in the Congress of Deputies this Monday, after holding a private meeting with the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, at 9:30 a.m. at the Apostolic Nunciature, where they discussed topics such as international cooperation, the social agenda and migration, and where Sánchez gave him a Spanish olive bonsai. The Holy Father was received with a great ovation.

In his address to the Chamber, Leo XIV wanted to emphasize the symbolic nature of his presence in Spain, assuring that "my presence before you wants to be a gesture of closeness to Spain." The pontiff also highlighted that in the country "here differences are heard and become shared decisions," in allusion to the democratic functioning of Parliament.

The Pope also reflected on the country's historical and social trajectory. He affirmed that "Spain possesses a particularly rich memory" and valued that "it has known how to look at the human being as something more than a piece," although he recognized, in a self-critical tone, that "society and the Church were not always up to par."

During his speech, Leo XIV insisted on the need to reinforce the ethical principles that sustain coexistence. He defended that “every just society is built on the inviolable dignity of the human person” and that “coexistence can be threatened by the culture of discard”, also emphasizing that “the moral greatness of a nation is manifested when the most fragile lives are protected.”

The pontiff concluded his intervention with a message focused on the migratory phenomenon and the defense of human rights. He warned that “the tragic migratory drama today challenges the conscience of nations” and remarked that “the situation of migrants and refugees demands a response,” insisting that “where a person is discriminated against, the principle of human dignity is violated.”