Pope León XIV to Visit Spain in June 2026, Marking a Historic Papal Journey
Pope León XIV will undertake an apostolic trip to Spain from June 6-12, 2026, highlighting Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands, including inaugurating a Sagrada Familia tower to mark Gaudí's centenary.
- • Pope León XIV's visit to Spain is scheduled from June 6 to June 12, 2026.
- • The itinerary includes Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands (Tenerife and Gran Canaria).
- • In Barcelona, the Pope will inaugurate a new tower of the Sagrada Familia coinciding with the centenary of Gaudí's death.
- • The visit is the first papal visit to Spain in 15 years and follows Pope Francisco's unfulfilled wish to visit the Canary Islands.
Key details
Pope León XIV is officially scheduled to visit Spain from June 6 to June 12, 2026, marking the first papal visit to the country in nearly 15 years. The Vatican announced the itinerary includes major stops in Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands, specifically Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
The visit will begin in Madrid followed by a significant event in Barcelona on June 10, where Pope León XIV will inaugurate the highest tower of the Sagrada Familia. This event coincides with the centenary of the death of the architect Antoni Gaudí, who was declared venerable last year. The Pope's presence at this ceremony highlights the cultural and religious significance of the visit.
Following Barcelona, the Pope will proceed to the Canary Islands, a trip that had been deeply desired by his predecessor, Pope Francisco, who passed away in 2025. Pope Francisco had expressed his intent to visit the Canaries to address immigration issues but was unable due to health reasons. This visit, therefore, carries both symbolic and pastoral importance for the region.
The invitation for this apostolic journey was extended by King Felipe VI and the Spanish Church. Key ecclesiastical figures such as Mons. Luis Argüello, President of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Cardinal Juan José Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona, and Cardinal José Cobo, Archbishop of Madrid, have publicly supported the visit. The official website "Conelpapa.es" has been launched to provide detailed information and coordinate preparations, involving several working groups and Church authorities.
Pope León XIV’s visit follows the last papal journey to Spain in 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI, who attended World Youth Day events. This upcoming visit aims not only to strengthen spiritual ties but also to celebrate important milestones in Spanish religious heritage.
Preparations are well underway, with the Spanish bishops previously expressing optimism during their meeting with the Pope in 2023. The Church and Spain’s institutions anticipate the visit will bolster faith across the country and highlight Spain’s enduring connection to the Vatican.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (3)
Source comparison
Date of the visit
Sources report different years for the Pope's visit to Spain
conferenciaepiscopal.es
"Pope Leon XIV is set to undertake an apostolic journey to Spain from June 6 to June 12, 2026."
revistaecclesia.es
"The Vatican has officially confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will visit Spain from June 6 to 12, 2024."
Why this matters: One source states the visit is in June 2026, while another claims it is in June 2024. This discrepancy is significant as it affects the timeline of the event.