Pope León XIV to Visit Spain in 2026, Including Historic Stop in Canary Islands

Pope León XIV is scheduled to visit Spain in 2026, with planned stops in Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands. This will mark the first papal visit to the Canary Islands, a region of particular importance due to ongoing migration concerns. The trip, still in the planning stages, is being coordinated by the Vatican, Spanish government, and Church authorities to finalize the itinerary and agenda. The Pope's visit is personally motivated, highlighted by a desire to address humanitarian issues related to migration, notably the care of about 5,000 unaccompanied minors across 87 centers in the Canary archipelago.

The initiative for the visit began with a personal invitation from King Felipe VI during Pope León XIV's inaugural mass. This trip will be the first papal visit to Spain since Pope Benedict XVI's World Youth Day visit in 2011, marking a significant pastoral commitment. Cardinal José Cobo, Archbishop of Madrid, noted the extensive planning process, emphasizing the trip's hopeful significance for both civil authorities and the Church.

Fernando Clavijo, president of the Cabildo of the Canaries, welcomed the visit as a chance to bring international attention to the region's humanitarian challenges. Pope León XIV, originally from Chicago with Peruvian nationality, has expressed in his papal inauguration a commitment to international presence and multilateralism, aligning with this visit's emphasis on migration and pastoral care.

Though exact dates are unconfirmed, speculation points to a visit possibly occurring before summer 2026, reflecting careful Vatican protocol to avoid last-minute cancellations. The Pope's expressed concern for migrants and his proactive engagement with the Canary Islands underscore the visit's significance beyond its ceremonial function.