VATICAN CITY (AP) – Pope Leo XIV is set to embark on a significant weeklong visit to Spain, a country experiencing declining religious participation and a turbulent political climate marked by challenges faced by the ruling Socialist Party. This visit, scheduled for June 6-12, 2026, marks the first papal trip to Spain in 15 years and is expected to focus on messages of unity, peace amid ongoing conflicts, migration, and hope for the youth in the face of advancing artificial intelligence.
The clergy sexual abuse crisis remains a pressing issue overshadowing this and other papal visits. The Vatican confirmed that Leo will meet with survivors during his time in Spain, highlighting the Spanish Catholic Church's ongoing struggle with the legacy of abuse and cover-ups in the once-devoutly Catholic nation.
Pope Leo's itinerary includes three distinct chapters in major locations: Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands, each focusing on different themes. In Madrid, the highlight will be his address to both chambers of the Spanish parliament on June 8. This monumental event will be the first time a pope has spoken to Las Cortes Generales, the Spanish parliament, despite previous visits from Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
Leo will address a parliament currently in a state of polarization, with the ruling Socialist Party under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez facing scrutiny due to corruption scandals and criticism from far-right factions, particularly regarding immigration policies. Alongside his parliamentary address, the pope plans to meet with Spanish royals and lead a prayer vigil for the youth, reminiscent of the 2011 World Youth Day hosted in Madrid with then-Pope Benedict.
In Barcelona, Leo’s visit will coincide with the centenary of the death of the renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. On June 10, Leo will celebrate Mass in Gaudí's iconic yet unfinished basilica, the Sagrada Familia, where he will also inaugurate the central Tower of Jesus Christ, making it the tallest church in the world. Additional visits will include a pilgrimage to the Our Lady of Montserrat abbey, a site of spiritual significance to Catalans.
Finally, Leo will conclude his visit in the Canary Islands on June 11-12, fulfilling a wish expressed by Pope Francis to engage with migrants who risk their lives crossing the sea from Africa to Europe. Over the course of two days, Leo will visit two islands, meet with migrants, and engage with humanitarian organizations assisting them.
Spain’s government has diverged from broader European and U.S. trends by proposing to grant legal status to hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants, recognizing the need for their contributions to an aging workforce and declining birth rates. Recent statistics indicate that migrant arrivals in the Canary Islands peaked in 2024, but have since seen a significant reduction, with only about 2,000 individuals reaching the islands in the first four months of 2026.
Amidst the backdrop of his various engagements, the pope's visit to Spain holds the potential for significant dialogues around critical social issues, serving as an important moment for both the Catholic Church and the nation's populace.
