Pope gathers more than 1.2 million faithful in Madrid and calls for renewal of the Catholic faith

Clerics walk in a Corpus Christi procession during Pope Leo XIV's visit to Madrid, Spain, on June 7, 2026.
Yara Nardi/ Reuters
More than 1.2 million faithful filled the streets of central Madrid this Sunday (7) for the open mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV, during which he called for a renewal of the Catholic faith in Spain. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia joined the crowd of faithful waving Spanish and Vatican flags in Plaza de Cibeles, usually the scene of celebrations by Real Madrid fans.
The mass was the highlight of the second day of Pope Leo XIV's weeklong visit to Spain, a traditional Catholic stronghold where religious practice has declined sharply in recent years, as in much of Western Europe. Pope Leo A vast logistical and security operation was set up for the mass. After the celebration, full of religious symbolism, the pope led a procession near Gran Vía, the main commercial road, along a route lined with white and yellow carnations, the colors of the Vatican flag.
For Nico Aldeanueva, 28, from Philadelphia, in the United States, the pope is a very unifying force in a time of divisions. "It seems like we are experiencing endless conflicts and now, here, we can take a break, enjoy the moment and feel the faith," he said.
Ana Milagros, 64, who was waving a Vatican flag, said she found the American-born pope "approachable" and "very sincere." "There is a lot of polarization and division in politics, social issues and the economy," she lamented. "With this visit, the pope is trying to help everyone," he concluded.
Agenda and dialogue with society Later, Leo Sociological Research (CIS), a public body, according to public television and radio broadcaster RTVE.
On Saturday night, 500,000 people, mostly young people, had already gathered with Leo XIV at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu stadium for a prayer vigil. The pope began his visit at the Royal Palace in Madrid, where he called for an end to "divisive rhetoric" and "sterile simplifications" during the first day of his visit. His trip will focus on the issue of migrants, a topic that polarizes debate in many countries, including Spain.
Leo XIV also praised Spain, whose left-wing government opposed the United States and Israel over wars in the Middle East, for its "constant commitment to peace and solidarity among peoples." became the tallest church in the world.
The Pope will conclude his visit on Thursday and Friday in the Canary Islands, the main gateway to Spain for irregular immigrants, where he will pay tribute to the thousands who died during the dangerous crossing of the Atlantic.

Source: G1