The start of Pope Leo XIV’s seven-day visit to Spain has shaken the foundations of institutional protocol. From the heights of the papal flight to the solemn halls of the Royal Palace and the massive gatherings with young people, the Pontiff has made it clear that his mission is not one of mere courtesy, but rather a profound engagement with the country’s social reality. Through a chronological account of the first 48 hours of his apostolic visit, we examine the key moments and most powerful messages that are defining this historic event.

DAY 1: The pulse of the street and the clamor at the Royal Palace

• Meeting with journalists aboard the papal flight (Start of the trip):  Even before touching Spanish soil, on the plane that was taking him to Madrid, Pope Leo XIV had a relaxed conversation with media correspondents. In this first contact, the Pontiff spoke candidly about the true intentions of his trip, expressing his firm desire to break with rigid protocol in order to connect directly with the people.

  • Key phrase:  “I want to hear the real pulse of the street”

  • Reference article:  https://exaudi.org/es/quiero-escuchar-el-pulso-real-de-la-calle/

• Official Reception and Address to the King and Queen and Authorities (Royal Palace):  Once in the Spanish capital, the first major official event took place at the Royal Palace. Before the King and Queen and the highest authorities of the State, Leo XIV delivered a speech of profound socio-political significance. The Holy Father launched an urgent international appeal to replace investment in armaments with funds allocated to education and multilateralism, also calling for a definitive end to “divisive narratives” in order to build bridges through a culture of encounter.

  • Key phrase:  “The truth is bigger than ourselves”

  • Reference article:  https://exaudi.org/es/la-verdad-es-mas-grande-que-nosotros-mismos/

DAY 2: Solidarity, youth, Eucharist and understanding

The second day of the apostolic visit diversified the papal agenda into four major events that covered social action, new generations, liturgy, and the identity of the Church itself.

• Encounter with the realities of assistance and charity:  During the morning, the Pope dedicated a moving time to meeting with ecclesial and civil sectors involved in social and welfare assistance in Spain. In his address, he emphasized that caring for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable is not a secondary option, but rather the fundamental driving force that must guide service to one’s neighbor.

  • Key phrase:  “The love of Christ impels us towards our brothers and sisters”

  • Reference article:  https://exaudi.org/es/el-papa-el-amor-de-christo-nos-empuja-hacia-los-hermanos/

• Meeting with Youth and Prayer Vigil:  In a vibrant and well-attended gathering with the younger generation, the Holy Father connected with young people, urging them to overcome apathy and indifference in the face of the major crises of the contemporary world. The Pope encouraged them to be active members of the Church and society, resolutely combating material deprivation and existential crises.

  • Key phrase:  “The Pope invites young people to be missionaries of the Gospel in the face of the material and spiritual poverty of our time”

  • Reference article:  https://exaudi.org/es/el-papa-invita-a-los-jovenes-a-ser-misioneros-del-evangelio-ante-las-pobrezas-materiales-y-espirituales-de-nuestro-tiempo/

• Celebration of Holy Mass with the faithful:  In a large liturgical gathering, Leo XIV presided over a solemn Eucharist in which he directly linked sacramental life with a commitment to social justice. In his homily, he reminded the community that the liturgy must translate into concrete actions outside the churches to transform social structures.

  • Key phrase:  “The Pope invites the faithful to let themselves be transformed by the Eucharist and to become builders of a new world”

  • Reference article:  https://exaudi.org/es/el-papa-invita-a-los-fieles-a-dejarse-transformar-por-la-eucaristia-ya-convertirse-en-constructores-de-un-mundo-nuevo/

• Church meeting on institutional vocation:  To conclude the activities of this intense second day, the Pope addressed the role and identity of the Church in a pluralistic world in a meeting with Church representatives. Leo XIV emphasized that mutual understanding with society and attentive listening to different realities are non-negotiable.

  • Key phrase:  “The attitude of dialogue is an integral part of the Church’s vocation”

  • Reference article:  https://exaudi.org/es/el-papa-la-actitud-de-dialogo-es-parte-integrante-de-la-vocacion-de-la-iglesi/