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First American Pope Embarks on Spanish Pilgrimage
6 Jun
Summary
- Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, is the first American pope.
- The pontiff's visit includes 21 events across four Spanish cities.
- The papal visit is projected to generate 150 million euros in economic return.
Pope Leo XIV, an American of multicultural descent, is undertaking his first apostolic journey to Spain from June 6 to June 12, 2026. This significant visit, under the motto 'Lift up your eyes,' covers nearly 2,500 kilometers and includes 21 events across four key destinations: Madrid, Barcelona with Montserrat, Gran Canaria, and Tenerife.
His itinerary in Madrid features a Corpus Mass expecting up to 1.5 million people, a meeting with the prime minister, an address to MPs in Congress, and a prayer at the cathedral. He will also meet the diocesan community at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. The following day, he travels to Barcelona to celebrate Mass at the Sagrada Família.
This papal visit is historically significant as it is the first by a pope to Spain in 15 years, since Benedict XVI. Pope Leo XIV, who has dual American and Peruvian nationality, also holds the distinction of being the first Augustinian pope. The visit is anticipated to have a substantial economic impact, with an estimated return of over 150 million euros against a cost of around 25 million euros.
The Vatican spokesman views the trip as a testament to the pope's continued relevance in public discourse, particularly in secularizing Spain and Europe, where he can contribute constructively.
