Pope Leo XIV is already in Spain, after landing in Madrid past 10 AM, for his seven-day official visit which will include the Spanish capital, Barcelona (where he will visit the Sagrada Familia and bless the Jesus Tower) and the Canary Islands.

The first true mass gathering of Leo XIV in Madrid took place at night, with the vigil organized in Lima square, in the shadow of the Santiago Bernabéu. The National Police estimated the attendance at around 500,000 people who arrived from different parts of Spain. Among them, chants echoed that seemed rescued from other eras: “This is the Pope’s youth!”

Pope Leo XIV remarked this Saturday, during his first day in Madrid, that “charity admits no delays” and warned of the “risk” involved when certain political and economic positions lead to deception and indifference in the face of unjust situations.

“With humility and joy.” This is how the King welcomed the Pope at the beginning of the words he delivered at the Royal Palace, in which there was no lack of reference to Spain’s Catholic roots, to the social work of the Church which, he said, contrasts with “the pain caused by cases of abuse, which neither are nor can be representative of the immense ecclesial community.”

Evangelical message with political content and words of hope. Leo XIV has started his visit to Spain strongly with a speech in which he outlined the objectives of his apostolate: “I come to confirm, encourage and inspire a renewed fidelity of believers to the Gospel, as well as a deeper reconciliation and cooperation among the different forces of this nation.” Before the King and Queen, the Government, the powers of the State, social agents and the Diplomatic Corps, the Pope, who spoke in Spanish, recalled that the history of Spain suggests that “it is not the culture of confrontation, but that of encounter, which generates stability and prosperity.”

One of the theological concepts, without intending to blaspheme, used to speak of God can be applied to Leo XIV. That of the unitrine. In addition to his role as Pontiff, there is that of Robert Prevost the citizen. But there is something more. Linked to his status as the visible head of the Catholic Church, he also has the attribute of head of state. This last dimension will mark the first part of the Pope’s trip to Spain, since upon arrival, on the tarmac, he will be received by political authorities and will hold meetings with the Kings and other civil representatives at the Royal Palace.

Pope Leo XIV begins a tour of Spain today that will last until next Friday and will take him first to Madrid, then to Barcelona, and finally to the Canary Islands, where he will learn firsthand about the migratory reality in the archipelago.