Pope Leo XIV calls for faith renewal as 1.2 million attend Madrid mass
The Pontiff’s address in Cibeles Square marked the second day of his seven-day tour, which includes a focus on migration and dialogue with civil society leaders.
Pope Leo XIV presided over a mass in Madrid’s Cibeles Square on Sunday, addressing an estimated 1.2 million attendees and calling for a renewal of the Catholic faith. The event, attended by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, marked the second day of the Pope’s seven-day visit to Spain. During the address, the Pope described religion as a “school of faith” rather than a “museum of the past” and praised Spain’s commitment to peace, despite noting diplomatic tensions between his native United States and the Spanish government regarding Middle East conflicts.
The mass occurred against a backdrop of declining religious observance in Spain, where only 56 percent of the population identifies as Catholic, down from 90 percent in the 1970s. According to a survey by the Centre for Sociological Research, an autonomous government body, published last month, the shift mirrors trends across much of Western Europe. Organisers reported the attendance figures for the square and the surrounding area, noting a significant logistical and security operation was in place for the gathering.
Following the mass, the Pope led a procession along a route lined with white and yellow carnations, colours associated with the Vatican flag. The event included a reception at Madrid’s royal palace earlier in the day, where Leo called for an end to “polarising narratives” and “sterile simplifications.” He also praised Spain’s “active commitment to peace and solidarity,” a statement made even as tensions persist between the US and the Spanish left-wing government over conflicts in the Middle East.
The visit continues with scheduled meetings with leaders from culture, sport, and the economy to foster dialogue between faith and civil society. On Saturday, approximately 500,000 people, mostly young attendees, gathered for a prayer vigil outside Real Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium. The Pope is scheduled to visit Barcelona on Tuesday and Wednesday to bless the recently completed tower of the Sagrada Familia basilica, which will make it the world’s tallest church.
The trip concludes in the Canary Islands on Thursday and Friday, with a focus on migration issues. The region is a key destination for irregular arrivals, and thousands have died in the Atlantic Ocean attempting to reach them. The Pope’s itinerary underscores a broader effort to engage with both the spiritual and socio-political realities of the nations he visits.
