Madrid is holding its breath. Under the motto ” Lift Up Your Eyes ,” Pope Leo XIV begins his highly anticipated apostolic journey to Spain this Saturday, June 6th, a trip that will keep the nation’s capital at the epicenter of faith and international affairs for four intense days. To ensure that the thousands of pilgrims and citizens can follow the Pope’s every move in an orderly and safe manner, the National Committee has published the ” Madrid Pilgrim’s Guide ,” an essential document detailing schedules, exact locations, and access points to the most popular events. Following this first leg, guides for the stops in Barcelona and the Canary Islands will be published.

Matchday-by-match schedule: from the most vulnerable to the Santiago Bernabéu

The Madrid period stands out for combining moments of profound institutional significance, gestures of social closeness, and large-scale liturgical celebrations:

• Saturday, June 6 (Opening Day) : The Pope will begin his afternoon schedule with a symbolic visit to the CEDIA 24-hour Caritas center, dedicated to assisting the homeless. In the evening, the activities will move to  Plaza de Lima , which will host a youth vigil with a strong Marian focus. The rosary will be recited, the image of Our Lady of Almudena will be present, and the event will conclude with the Holy Father’s address and a moment of Eucharistic adoration.
• Sunday, June 7 (Corpus Christi) : The morning will begin with Holy Mass presided over by the Pope in  Plaza de Cibeles , followed by the traditional procession of the Blessed Sacrament. The music will be provided by an impressive orchestra and choir of nearly 400 members, and the procession will feature the historic 1943 monstrance from Almudena Cathedral, carried atop a carpet of floral designs created by the renowned carpet makers of Ponteareas. In the afternoon, the dialogue with civil society will move to the  Movistar Arena for the ” Weaving Networks ”  event , which will bring together figures from the worlds of culture, art, business, and sports.
• Monday, June 8 (Institutional and Diocesan Day):  Leo XIV will make history by becoming the  first Pope to visit the Congress of Deputies . Afterwards, he will present the Golden Rose to the Virgin of Almudena. The day will culminate at the  Santiago Bernabéu Stadium , where he will meet with the diocesan community of Madrid, Alcalá de Henares, and Getafe, in a ceremony featuring the Madrid Church Family Choir and the official anthem of the visit.
• Tuesday, June 9 (Farewell) : The agenda in the capital will formally conclude in pavilion 3 of  IFEMA  with a private meeting to thank the volunteers who have made the organization of the event possible.

Where will the Popemobile pass through?

For those who wish to greet the Pope in the streets, the guide reveals the four official routes of the Popemobile:

1.  Saturday : It will proceed along Paseo de la Castellana towards Plaza de Lima.

2.  Sunday : It will travel along Serrano and Goya streets, crossing Plaza de Colón towards Cibeles.

3.  Monday (Morning):  He will head towards the Almudena Cathedral.

4.  Monday (Afternoon):  It will feature the longest and most scenic route of the entire visit, crossing the historic center of Madrid towards the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.

Access control and practical tips for big events

The organizers have implemented extra precautions for the two events expected to draw the largest crowds.  Access will be mandatory via a personal QR code  and through assigned sectors. Each zone will have water stations, portable toilets, and medical assistance.

• Youth Vigil (Plaza de Lima – Saturday 6):  The festival of faith starts at 8:30 pm, but access will be open exclusively  from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm .
• Corpus Christi Mass (Plaza de Cibeles – Sunday 7):  The celebration will begin at 10:00 a.m. (with an estimated end time of 12:15 p.m.). Access will open very early:  from 7:00 a.m.

What to bring and what is prohibited?

It is strongly recommended to bring a hat or scarf, sunscreen, food, and water in plastic bottles (in addition to the printed QR code or the one on your mobile phone). For security reasons,  access with alcoholic beverages, thermal bottles, sharp objects, flares, or banner poles longer than one meter is strictly prohibited  . Citizens are also advised of significant traffic disruptions due to the extensive security deployment.

A “White and Yellow Night”

As a cultural and spiritual complement, the document highlights the “White and Yellow Night” initiative. Inspired by the teachings of Pope Leo XIV on beauty, numerous museums and cultural spaces in Madrid will open their doors at night to welcome pilgrims with special artistic offerings.

The complete Pilgrim’s Guide, with ten practical tips and detailed maps, can now be consulted in its entirety through the official website:  conelpapa.es/guia-del-peregrino .