Pope Leo XIV Visits Spain Amid Immigration and Justice Issues

Pope Leo XIV is set to visit Spain starting Saturday, where he will meet with King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia at the Royal Palace in Madrid. The visit will focus on immigration and social justice during a politically turbulent time for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

The Pope will participate in a prayer vigil near the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, expecting around 400,000 attendees, and approximately one million people are anticipated to attend a mass in the city center during his seven-day trip. He will deliver a speech at the Spanish parliament and bless the new tower of the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, the world's tallest church.

Furthermore, he will meet with victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, with an estimated 200,000 minors having suffered abuse in Spain since 1940. The Spanish government and the Catholic Church signed an agreement in March to compensate victims.

The Pope's visit also includes meetings with migrant organizations to honor those who have died attempting to reach Europe.