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At 9.15 this morning, the Holy Father Leo XIV left the Apostolic Nunciature and transferred first by car, then popemobile, to Plaza de Cibeles for the celebration of Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

Upon arrival at the Palacio de Cibeles , the Pope was welcomed by the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida who, in the presence of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain and several members of the City Council, presented him with the golden key of the City. The Holy Father then signed the Guest Book and walked to the sacristy.

At 10.10, the Pope presided over the Eucharistic Celebration in Plaza de Cibeles, in the presence of one million two hundred thousand faithful.

Following the words of welcome by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Madrid, His Eminence Cardinal José Cobo Cano, during the introductory rites and the Liturgy of the Word, Pope Leo XIV delivered the homily.

At the end of Holy Mass, the Corpus Domini procession took place, which concluded with the solemn Eucharistic blessing imparted by the Pope.

The Holy Father then returned to the sacristy, and immediately transferred by car to the Apostolic Nunciature, where he met with approximately 220 Augustinian Fathers from various communities and several members of the Augustinian family in Spain.

After the greeting from the Provincial Superior, the Pope addressed to those present some words of gratitude for the opportunity to meet, emphasizing how the communion and unity of heart among the Augustinians can be a message to the world at this historic moment. A message to be brought to young people, such as the 600,000 gathered in Plaza de Lima yesterday evening, who were sharing their questions and their spiritual search. And, referring to the presence of the sisters of contemplative life, the Pope emphasized the value of their vocation, not least in giving meaning to social action, at a time when silence is being lost and humanity is losing the ability to look into its own heart. Finally, before greeting them individually, the Pope invited those present to pray the Lord’s Prayer together and imparted his blessing upon them.

The following is the homily delivered by Pope Leo XIV during the Holy Mass, after the proclamation of the Gospel:

 

Homily of the Holy Father

Your Eminences and Your Excellencies, Dear priests, men, women religious, Your Majesties, Dear brothers and sisters,

As I begin  my visit to Spain , it is with a heart filled with joy that I preside over this celebration on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.

We are gathered around the Eucharist, the gift of Christ’s living presence among us. He who wished to offer us his life so that we might enter into communion with the Father and become his children, is here as the living Bread come down from heaven, to nourish us with the very life of God, with a love stronger than death.

This awareness of the Lord’s presence in the Eucharistic Bread is deeply rooted in the faith and the history of your people. Here in Madrid, as in many other parts of Spain, Corpus Christi is more than just another celebration on the liturgical calendar. It is a way of returning to the heart of the faith to renew our love and fidelity to God. The solemn processions held on this day have for centuries shaped the piety, art, music, architecture and life of the Spanish people. Even today, they still express and manifest the spiritual sentiments of this country through the beauty and elegance of the floral carpets, the altars erected in the streets, the carefully crafted monstrances and stands, the hymns and the liturgical vestments. This is not an exhibition, a remnant of folklore or a simple display of beauty. It is a profession of faith in the presence of the risen Lord, who is alive and continues to walk among us, who becomes bread to satiate our hunger for life, and visits the recesses of our hearts and history, even those shrouded in darkness.

Just as Christ gives himself as food in the Eucharistic celebration, the procession shows that he is not confined to the church, but comes out to meet us. Jesus travels the streets, crosses the squares and visits our neighborhoods, dwelling in the settings of our daily lives. He is a God who is close to us, who walks with his people, the Lord of history. He is comfort to the weak, light for families, hope for the sick and peace for those who suffer.  The Christ who processes through the streets in the monstrance is the same one who identifies with the poor, the downtrodden, those who are alone and forsaken.  It is no coincidence that the Church here in Spain has long combined the Solemnity of Corpus Christi with the Day for Charity.

It is not merely a matter of bringing out the monstrance, but of allowing ourselves to be brought out of our selfishness and indifference, of a comfortable, private faith, so as to respond to his invitation to conversion, to change our perspective, and to welcome his presence which transforms us and makes us builders of a new world.

For this reason, the historical memory of the Corpus Christi processions is not confined to wistful nostalgia. Instead, it stands as an invitation in the present moment, in our daily lives, in our relationships, in society, and in the building of the future. It is in this context that we must understand the invitation to “remember” that we heard in the first reading: “Remember the long way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness” ( Deut  8:3); remember how he fed you with manna when you were hungry. We must “remember” precisely so as not to forget who the Lord is, so as not to fall into the temptation of trusting in other idols and feeding on bread that does not satisfy.

Herein lies the task of Spain today and in the future: to ensure that the religiosity which has shaped and defined this country for centuries is not a museum of the past to be visited, but a school of faith from which to draw even today: A school that teaches us to kneel before God and before our neighbor, because no one can kneel before the Lord and despise their brother; A school that teaches us of the gratitude of love that becomes a gift, so that it may flow among us and break the chains of all selfishness; A school from which we learn that God is a real presence and that we too are called to be present in the realities and challenges of society, not shying away, but personally committing ourselves to the building of the common good.

Brothers and sisters, I wish to recall Saint Manuel González, the bishop of the abandoned tabernacle. His life reminds us that the Eucharist should be honored not only during great celebrations or on special occasions, but also through the silent fidelity of those who accompany the Lord with a humble and quiet friendship that is nourished day by day. I would also like to bring to mind the poetic verses of  Saint John of the Cross : “For I know well the spring that flows and runs, although it is night” ( Song of the Soul that Rejoices in Knowing God through Faith ). While imprisoned in harsh conditions in the convent prison of Toledo, precisely around the time of Corpus Christi in 1578, he recognized the hidden presence of the Lord in the darkness of his cell, a presence from which emanates a light that never fades and flows a life that never diminishes. The Eucharistic Jesus is “that eternal spring that is hidden” — a spring that flows and quenches thirst, yet without blinding, without imposing itself through outward power, without presenting itself in a spectacular way (cf. ibid.).

Let us return to him with sincere love. Let us open ourselves to the encounter with him, let us allow him to quench the thirst of our hearts, so that we may then go forth into the paths of life and history, bringing to the people this stream of fresh water, a stream of love, peace, justice and joy. Let us drink anew from this Eucharistic spring, which does not enclose us in private devotion, but sends us out to refresh our brothers and sisters, our families, the poor, the suffering, and those who have lost hope. Eucharistic grace transforms us and makes us protagonists of the transformation of history, a sign of hope for those we meet.

May the Lord Jesus, present in the Eucharist, transform you into bread that is broken, given, and offered, so that a life of fullness may spring forth for you, for your families, and for your country.

The following is the text of the Video Message sent by the Holy Father Leo XIV to participants in the Sixth World Apostolic Congress on Mercy, held in Vilnius, Lithuania, from 7 to 12 June 2026:

 

Video Message of the Holy Father

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I am pleased to greet all of you who are participating in the sixth edition of the  World Apostolic Congress on Mercy  which was so strongly desired by my Venerable Predecessor, Saint Pope John Paul II. On this occasion, I would like extend a special greeting to His Excellency Archbishop Gintaras Grušas of Vilnius, who is welcoming to his diocese so many pilgrims of mercy from all over the world, as well as to His Excellency Mr Gitanas Nausėda, the President of the Republic of Lithuania, and not least to His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who has graciously accepted to be present.

Saint Augustine writes in the  Confessions  that his only hope is in God’s exceeding great mercy (10, 40). Indeed, it is a source of great joy and true hope when we experience how merciful God is towards each one of us and how good it is for us to renew our trust in his mercy.

Today’s world, with its many fears and anxieties, tensions and wars, presents an increasingly urgent need for peace in the hearts of both individuals and peoples. Amid the vortex of violence that poisons relationships and destroys lives, the mercy of God asks to be allowed into our hearts with its amazing power of renewal. It is this mercy that is capable of turning our lives around, opening the way to love and forgiveness as distinctive features of the face of God manifested through us.

Dear friends, God never tires of showing His mercy. His love, as the Psalmist says (cf. Psalm. 136), endures forever, and how much our world is crying out for mercy at every level! But the peace that we so deeply desire cannot be attained without mercy. Let us therefore join our trust in the infinite mercy of God with our own personal commitment to build a more welcoming and merciful society, beginning with our families.

My hope is that you will live these days in Vilnius intensely, so that you may take back to your communities the richness of all that you have experienced in this international gathering. From the bottom of my heart, I impart the Apostolic Blessing of the most merciful God upon each one of you and on your families.

Welcome Ceremony at the Royal Palace of Madrid and Courtesy Visit to Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain

Meeting with the Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps

 

Welcome Ceremony at the Royal Palace of Madrid and Courtesy Visit to Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain

At 11.45 this morning, the Holy Father Leo XIV visited the Royal Palace of Madrid to pay a courtesy visit to Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain.

Upon arrival, the Pope was welcomed by King Felipe and Queen Letizia, and together they proceeded to the podium for the military honours.

After the anthems, the salute to the flags, the passing of the Guard of Honour and the presentation of the respective delegations, the Pope and the King and Queen of Spain entered the Palace via the Grand Staircase for the courtesy visit.

The Pope and the King entered the Salón de los Espejos for the private meeting, which took place after the official photograph in the Sala Teniers and the subsequent exchange of gifts in the Cámara Oficial.

Finally, Leo XIV and Felipe VI proceeded to the Salón de Columnas for the meeting with the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps.

 

Meeting with the Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps

At 12.50, in the Salón de Columnas of the Royal Palace of Madrid, the meeting with the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps took place.

After the speech from the King of Spain, Felipe VI, the Holy Father XIV delivered his address.

At the end of the meeting, after taking leave of those present, the Pope transferred by car to the Apostolic Nunciature.

The following is the address delivered by the Holy Father to those present during the meeting:

 

Address of the Holy Father

Your Majesties,  Royal Highnesses, Distinguished Representatives of Civil Society, Esteemed members of the Diplomatic Corps, Ladies and gentlemen,

I am grateful to the Lord for this occasion to meet with you, and express my gratitude for the invitation to undertake this Apostolic Journey to Spain. This journey will unfold in several stages, each revealing an aspect of the multifaceted richness of a great country that, for nearly two millennia, has welcomed the Gospel. Tradition has always linked the initial evangelization of the Iberian Peninsula to the preaching of the Apostle James the Greater. This connection is of considerable theological importance, for it expresses the local Church’s awareness of its continuity with the apostolic mission that began at Pentecost. While not exhausting the multifaceted identity of your people, the ancient bond between the Christian faith and this land has profoundly shaped your culture and represents a source of hope and direction amid the challenges we must face together as a human family today. I think of the expressions of popular piety that stand as an authentic dramatization of salvation in every city and town, in step with the rhythm of the year and life’s various contexts.  Along with the artistic and musical heritage, as well as the many confraternities and charitable associations, they bear witness to the fruitful encounter between Jesus Christ and your people, a passionate people who love life and express it!

I come among you to affirm, encourage and instill a renewed fidelity to the Gospel among believers, as well as a deeper reconciliation and collaboration among the various elements of this nation. After all, your own history suggests that a culture of encounter, not confrontation, is what fosters stability and prosperity. In reality, the message of peace, which at present unfortunately strikes some as naïve and others as confrontational, is welcomed by those who do not shut themselves off in preconceived ideologies, but are rather open to the truth. As Pope Francis taught us, there is, in fact, “a constant tension between ideas and realities. Realities simply are, whereas ideas are worked out. There has to be continuous dialogue between the two, lest ideas become detached from realities. It is dangerous to dwell in the realm of words alone, of images and rhetoric” ( Evangelii Gaudium , 231). He concluded that “realities are greater than ideas” ( ibid .). The truth is always greater than we are, which is why it amazes us and draws us toward paths of purification and reconciliation, in which dialogue with others — and with the Other with a capital “O” — becomes fundamentally important.

In this respect, I would like to mention two prominent figures from this country who have enriched the life of the Church and the spiritual journey of many for five centuries, even beyond the borders of Spain. I am referring to John of the Cross and Teresa of Ávila, whose passion for the divine Mystery brought them together as friends. Their mysticism is one of “open eyes,” that is, not detached from history, but rather penetrating to the root of issues and the heart of reality. In particular, upon interpreting the transformations and weathering the tensions that make our age so dark, we can find it helpful to consider the theme of night, so dear to Saint John of the Cross, whose Jubilee Year we are celebrating. Paradoxically, in his thirst for light, he learned to appreciate darkness — the “happy night” ( The   Dark Night of the Soul , 3) — as the time when the soul is freed from what it presumed to know and possess. Even today, what most frightens us, what in many people triggers the darkness of reason and the violence of emotions, is the unknown, before which we may feel overwhelmed by a sense of being lost without a map, as if we have lost our bearings. This is why, even in public life, we need men and women who can perceive light in the darkness: a new beginning, like the dawn of a truth that as yet blinds us, but which — if we trust and find peace — will gently lead us toward itself. “O night that guided! O night more lovely than the dawn! O night that brought together Beloved and beloved, beloved transformed in the Beloved!” (ibid., 5).

Our age, seemingly shaken by terrible imbalances and conflicts, cries out from its depths for peace, for a new understanding of the human person and its inviolable dignity, for a civilization of love (cf.  Magnifica Humanitas ,  186).

Saint Teresa describes this same process using the image of the interior castle.  As one moves from room to room toward the innermost chamber — that is, toward one’s own heart, the sanctuary of truth — the space enlarges, the mind opens, challenges are overcome, tensions dissipate, others find their place, and the universe becomes a home. This is not an escape into the self, but a radical openness to the  Totus Alius et Semper Novus  achieved when we return to ourselves. This dimension of the human person is the reason why religious freedom and freedom of conscience must be protected.

Today, the temptation to gain popularity by fanning the flames of polarization seems to have grown rather than diminished, and human dignity continues to be violated. This is why we need culture, interiority, and free quality education; we need transcendence. And yet, even in these dark nights, men and women who are faithful to the truth have been driven to advance from one room to another until justice and peace embrace in their conscience. It is through their freedom that we learn to be free.

The Catholic Church is at the service of the thirst of the human heart. It is a service not marked by imposition, but rather the Gospel witness attested to by a multitude of martyrs and saints. Today the Church is ready to place herself at the service of the future of a people in search of reconciliation and peace.

For the love of truth, I invite everyone to set aside the divisive and polarizing narratives of your societal reality and history, so as to overcome sterile simplifications through the fruitful appreciation of complexity. I see here a vocation particularly suited to Europe, in which Spain plays a unique and fundamental role. This is the gift that the “Old Continent” can offer the world if it wishes to remain young, for youth is found in those who feel they have a future and a mission that still have meaning. Appreciating and studying complexity, learning not to deny it but to embrace it as a blessing, and fleeing from identity-based approaches that seem to explain everything yet only fill the world with “ghosts” and enemies are the tasks of those who are heirs of a great history. New technologies have created an artificial environment where our fundamental choices are put to the test, prejudices are magnified, critical thinking is weakened and dominating interests spread death wishes.  Nevertheless, goodness can prevail and spread.

It is essential, particularly on the part of those with economic, political and institutional responsibilities, to make a qualitative leap forward — a change of direction in investment in schools, universities and research, as well as in local communities and civil society as a nurturing ground for participation and cultural mediation. Security, which we all too often expect to find in weapons and walls, is in fact best achieved by learning to move forward alongside one another, growing together, side by side. Your own history bears witness to this. The presence of Islam on the Iberian Peninsula, for example, constituted a long-standing political, cultural, and religious reality. During that period, there was not only confrontation, but also an attempt to create a space for contact, conversation and dialogue on the meaning of truth among Christians, Muslims and Jews. At the School of Translators enhanced by Alfonso X (the Wise), experts from all three religions collaborated on translating the texts of the rich Arabic, Greek and Hebrew heritage, contributing to the dissemination of texts such as those of the philosophers Averroes (1126-1198) and Maimonides (1138-1204), among others. The cities of Córdoba and Toledo, in particular, became centers of dialogue between languages, religions and knowledge. This is the truth told by European cities: their historical stratification, the fabric of solidarity that has shaped their differences over the centuries, transforming inevitable conflicts into new beginnings.

As another noble son of this land taught us, trials and failures offer an opportunity for reevaluation. Ignatius of Loyola possessed this kind of audacity, giving credence to the desolations and consolations of his heart through an exercise of discernment and imagination that led him to prefer peace over arms and the saints to the powerful. He understood that the good to which he was drawn was not illusory, and so his crisis became instead a grace. The same can happen with the “novelties” that unsettle us today and often cause division. “We must avoid humiliating or antagonistic words, opting rather for a clarity that sheds light and a frankness that unlocks new possibilities. We cannot condone naïve enthusiasms, nor fuel unfounded fears. Instead, let us establish standards for discernment — the dignity of the human person, the universal destination of goods, the preferential option for the poor, care for our common home and peace — and let us translate these standards into practices such as responsible planning, the assessment of human and social impact, the inclusion of the most vulnerable, the promotion of digital literacy and guiding research and industry toward justice and peace” ( Magnifica Humanitas ,  14).

Your Majesties, Royal Highnesses, ladies and gentlemen, I express my gratitude to your country for its faithful adherence to international law and multilateralism, which is reflected in an active commitment to peace and solidarity among peoples. At the same time, I encourage you to cultivate as well dialogue and civic friendship within your own country, to take into account the perspectives of the poor and the young when envisioning the future, to harmonize the claims for autonomy and unity, and to advance the cause of unity in Europe — not in opposition to other powers, but as a gift to the entire human family.

God bless Spain!

This morning, on the aircraft that carried him to Spain, the Holy Father Leo XIV, as is customary, greeted the media workers who accompanied him on the papal flight.

The following are the Pope’s words of greeting to journalists present on the flight:

 

Matteo Bruni

Good morning, Your Holiness. We are ready for this new journey. Accompanying you on board are around 80 journalists from more than 10 countries, including about 20 from Spain. Thank you for greeting us, and thank you for the words you will share with us in the coming days.

 

Pope Leo XIV

Good morning to you all.

We are already over Spanish territory, and so I would first like to greet, in Spanish, the Spanish journalists travelling with us, as well as all those present here. Thank you very much for your service.

As you know very well, this is  the first papal visit to Spain  in quite some time. Personally, I am very pleased to be making this journey. I have visited Spain many times, but this is the first time I come with this mission. An Apostolic Journey is an opportunity to meet the faithful, to celebrate the faith and to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ. But at the same time, it is also an occasion to greet everyone, the whole of society, because the Church has a message for all people, as you may have seen, I believe, very clearly in the  Encyclical Letter that was published on the 25th of May .

I hope that everyone will have a pleasant journey and that it will be an opportunity to foster great enthusiasm. There are many Catholics, and I would especially like to highlight the presence of young people. From what I have been told, a large number of young people will participate with great enthusiasm. By sharing together in the joy of faith, I believe we can offer a very positive message. It is a message that will take on a particular significance in every place we visit, whether Madrid, Barcelona or the Canary Islands. May everything serve to live out our faith and to proclaim the message of God’s love, charity and respect for every human person.

It is a pleasure to greet you all, and I wish you a good journey.

Resignation of bishop of Parañaque, Philippines

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Parañaque, Philippines, presented by Bishop Jesse E. Mercado.