Pope Leo XIV officially inaugurated the celebrations for the 800th anniversary of the construction of Toledo Cathedral with a heartfelt message addressed to the Archdiocese of Toledo. In the letter, read this Thursday, January 29, by the Apostolic Nuncio to Spain, Archbishop Piero Pioppo, during the opening ceremony, the Holy Father expressed his joy at the commemorative program and wished that 2026 would be a “time of grace, forgiveness, mercy, and gratitude” for the rich history of the Church in Toledo, Spain, Europe, and Latin America.

The Pope recalled that in 1226, Archbishop Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada and King Saint Ferdinand III laid the first stone of the current Gothic cathedral on the site of the former Visigothic basilica of Santa María. For eight centuries, the Primate Cathedral has witnessed and played a leading role in decisive events in religious and cultural history, reflected in its unique art and architecture.

The 800th anniversary is presented as a comprehensive celebration uniting faith, art, music, and heritage. The program is organized around four main themes: the voice, the memory, the stone structure, and the spiritual life of the building and its community. Among the highlights is the major exhibition “Primada,” which will open on May 25, 2026, and run until October 14. This exhibition will bring together more than 350 masterpieces—paintings, sculptures, codices, and tapestries—by artists such as El Greco, Velázquez, Zurbarán, Bellini, and Luca Giordano, spanning eight centuries of history.

Furthermore, the program includes conservation, research, and publication initiatives to preserve and transmit this exceptional heritage to future generations. Numerous cultural and liturgical events will take place throughout 2026 and 2027.

Leo XIV emphasized the value of the Hispano-Mozarabic liturgy, celebrated daily in the cathedral as a living testament to faith and communion with the See of Peter. This tradition is part of the Centenary Music Program, which recovers and renews the rich musical heritage of the cathedral, from its historical archives to contemporary compositions.

The papal message also highlighted the social and charitable dimension of the cathedral, which responds to the new forms of poverty in today’s society. Citing his apostolic exhortation *Dilexi te*, the Pope encouraged the community not to forget the poor as a concrete expression of faith.

The celebrations will culminate in a Jubilee Year that will begin on October 25, 2026 —the feast of the dedication of the temple— and will extend until October 27, 2027. During this period, the faithful and pilgrims from all over the world are invited to experience a time of grace, encounter, and inner renewal.

Pope Leo XIV concluded his letter by assuring them of his spiritual closeness and offering a prayer for the protection of the Lord and Our Lady of the Sanctuary, patroness of Toledo. With affection, he imparted his apostolic blessing and encouraged the Toledo community to experience this anniversary as a renewed impetus for the present and future of their faith.