On Board Papal Plane, June 6 (EFE).- Pope Leo XIV departed Rome on Saturday for a six-day apostolic visit to Spain, his fourth international trip as pontiff and the first to a European Union country.
The pope left Rome’s Fiumicino Airport at 8:13 a.m. local time (0713 GMT) aboard an Ita Airways aircraft bound for Madrid, where he is scheduled to land at 10:30 a.m. local time (0830 GMT).
During the visit, which runs through June 12, he will travel to Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands.
The Pope, born Robert Prevost, is accompanied by 80 journalists representing 55 media outlets, as well as a Vatican delegation that includes Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity.
Upon arrival at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, the pontiff will be welcomed by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
He will then travel to the Royal Palace for the official welcome ceremony, which will include military honors and the playing of the Spanish and Vatican national anthems. The pope will subsequently hold an official meeting with the royal family, including Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía.
The program also includes a greeting to civil and religious authorities in the Throne Room, followed by addresses from the king and the pope in the Hall of Columns.
The speech will mark Leo XIV’s first public address in Spain and is expected to outline the main themes of his visit.
Following the ceremony, the pope will retire to the Apostolic Nunciature, where he will stay during his time in Madrid. No public engagements are scheduled until the evening.
At 6 p.m., Leo XIV will visit the CEDIA 24 Horas center, operated by Cáritas in Madrid’s Lucero neighborhood, which provides assistance to homeless people and other vulnerable groups. The visit will include meetings with residents and staff, as well as a musical performance by Spanish singer Niña Pastori.
The pope’s first day in Spain will conclude with a youth prayer vigil at Plaza de Lima, where organizers expect hundreds of thousands of participants. The event will combine music, testimonies and prayer, and will feature the pope responding to questions from young people.
«Lift Up Your Eyes» is the official motto of Leo XIV’s visit, which marks the first papal trip to Spain in 15 years and his first visit to an EU member state since becoming pope. EFE
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