In Madrid, Pope calls for compassion towards 'every human being'

Summary

On Sunday, June 7, 2026, Pope Leo XIV celebrated an outdoor Mass near Madrid’s Cibeles Square during a week-long visit to Spain. The Vatican and local organizers estimated that approximately 1.2 million people attended in the square and surrounding streets, while large crowds welcomed the pope with flags, chants, and flower petals. In his sermon, Leo urged Catholics to express their faith by helping others and said God identifies with “the poor, the downtrodden, those who are alone and forsaken.” Earlier, after receiving the key to Madrid from the city’s mayor, he called for the city to remain welcoming and inclusive and to uphold “genuine human values.” His visit began June 6 with meetings involving migrants and homeless people and a vigil attended by approximately 600,000 young people. The itinerary also included planned stops in Barcelona and the Canary Islands, where he was expected to meet migrants who had crossed from West Africa. The pope said he hoped the visit—described as his first to an EU country outside Italy—would model respect for every person and encouraged political leaders to stop dividing electorates. Further scheduled activities included meetings with Augustinians and representatives of entertainment, sport, and culture.