Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit to Spain is set to be one of the country's most significant events of the year, with Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands among the destinations on his weeklong itinerary. Members of Spain's royal family will play a prominent role throughout the visit, welcoming the Pontiff upon his arrival and accompanying him during several key events.
A last-minute change, however, will alter the final chapter of the trip: King Felipe VI will now personally bid farewell to the Pope in Tenerife, replacing Queen Sofía, who had originally been scheduled to lead the official send-off.
© GTRESThe Royal Household has unveiled the details surrounding Pope Leo XIV’s landmark visit, which will officially begin on Saturday, June 6, at Madrid’s Royal Palace. Before that, however, King Felipe and Queen Letizia will welcome the Pontiff at the airport ahead of his historic meeting with Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, who will also play a prominent role during the visit.
The trip will run through June 12 and, after stops including Barcelona, will conclude in the Canary Islands, where King Felipe VI will travel to bid farewell to the Pontiff. The send-off will take place at Tenerife North–Ciudad de La Laguna Airport on the final day of the visit. Although Queen Sofía had originally been scheduled to preside over the farewell ceremony, the King will now lead the official send-off following the Pope’s historic visit to Spain.
© GTRESThe farewell ceremony will be the Royal Family’s only official appearance in the Canary Islands during the visit, though Pope Leo will receive support from members of the monarchy throughout his stay. As previously announced, the visit will begin on June 6 with an official welcome ceremony and full state honors in the Royal Palace’s Courtyard of the Armory, attended by government officials and religious leaders.
© GTRESWhile the event carries significant institutional importance, the following day, June 7, will be equally notable for the royal family. Its members will accompany Leo XIV to the Mass he will celebrate in Madrid’s Plaza de Cibeles, an event that Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía are also expected to attend.
© GTRESKing Felipe and Queen Letizia will likewise accompany the Pope on June 10 during his visit to Barcelona’s Basilica of the Sagrada Família. The historic trip will conclude on a fittingly symbolic note: on June 12, King Felipe will formally bid farewell to Pope Leo, bringing to a close a visit that many faithful Catholics already view as one of the most significant religious events in Spain in recent decades.
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