Pope Leo XIV embarks on a six-day pilgrimage across Spain's cultural and spiritual heartlands
Pope Leo XIV will visit Spain from June 6 to 12, marking his latest trip to a country he has explored extensively. The six-day tour includes stops in Madrid, Barcelona, Gran Canaria and Tenerife. His deep connection with Spain’s missionary history stems from decades of travel and his own work as a missionary in Peru. The Pope’s first encounter with Spain came in 1982, when he travelled as a young Augustinian on pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Over the years, he has returned nearly 50 times, visiting more than 30 cities across the nation.
During this visit, he will address Spain’s parliament and inaugurate a new tower at Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica. A meeting with migrants in the Canary Islands is also planned. His schedule reflects both cultural engagement and a focus on social issues. Spain holds a special place in global missionary work, sending more missionaries abroad than any other country. It also ranks as the second-largest financial contributor to missionary efforts worldwide. The Pope has repeatedly praised Spain as a 'very missionary nation' and will urge Catholics to renew their enthusiasm for this tradition. His message is expected to highlight the lasting importance of Spain’s missionary legacy. With personal experience as an Augustinian missionary and bishop in Peru, he brings firsthand knowledge of the challenges and rewards of such work.
The visit will reinforce ties between the Pope and a country he knows well. His appearances in political, religious and humanitarian settings aim to inspire both reflection and action. Spain’s role in global missionary efforts remains a central theme of his trip.
