Pope Leo Attends Public Mass in Large Crowd in Madrid

Pope Leo XIV Visits Madrid, Draws Large Crowd

Approximately 1.2 million people gathered in Cibeles Square in Madrid on Sunday for Pope Leo XIV’s mass, marking one of the largest events during his weeklong apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. The Vatican and local organizers reported that the crowd braved the heat to attend the event.

As the pontiff arrived at the square, a large group of people gathered near the barriers, waving flags and shouting “Long live the pope.” Some individuals also threw flower petals in celebration. Pope Leo XIV later wrote in the guestbook: “May Madrid continue to be a welcoming and inclusive city, where social life is inspired by true human values.”

The pontiff’s visit began on Saturday, during which he met with migrants and the homeless, as well as attended a vigil with approximately 600,000 young people. His upcoming schedule includes stops in Barcelona and the Canary Islands, where he will meet migrants and refugees who have risked their lives crossing from West Africa.

Pope Leo XIV expressed his hope that his visit would set an example for the world about respecting every human being. He also urged leaders to stop dividing electorates. One attendee, Andrea Margarita, a 72-year-old Peruvian migrant, stated: “I am delighted that he is praying for us migrants and for our safety.”

Source: Al Jazeera