Pope Leo XIV Begins Week-Long Apostolic Journey to Spain, Addressing Immigration and Inaugurating Sagrada Familia Tower

Pope Leo XIV landed at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport on June 6, 2026, kicking off a seven-day apostolic journey through Spain. The trip covers Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands, with a focus on immigration, youth ministry, and Catholic heritage.

In Madrid, the Pope celebrated a Corpus Christi Mass at the Plaza de Cibeles on June 7 and addressed the Spanish Parliament on June 8, the first time a pope has done so. He also met with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the Spanish bishops.

The Barcelona leg of the trip includes a visit to the Brians 1 Penitentiary Center and a stop at the Abbey of Montserrat. On June 10, the Pope will inaugurate the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família, marking the 100th anniversary of the death of architect Antoni Gaudí.

The final days of the journey take the Pope to the Canary Islands, where he will meet with organizations working with migrants at the port of Arguineguín in Gran Canaria. In Tenerife, he will visit the Las Raíces migrant center before returning to Rome on June 12.

The visit is supported by a large operational deployment, including 660 personnel from Spanish public broadcaster RTVE. Madrid extended public transport hours and offered free travel on municipal buses and BiciMAD bikes during the papal visit.

A commemorative pastry called Cor Unum was created to honor the occasion, reflecting the Pope's Augustinian affiliation.