Pope begins week-long visit to Spain: in Madrid, he competes with Bad Bunny

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Madrid on Saturday for a week-long visit to Spain, where he was welcomed by King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. His itinerary includes a welcome ceremony at the Royal Palace, a visit to a social center, and a prayer vigil near the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, where 400,000 young people are expected. The Pope acknowledged the challenge of attracting young people, humorously noting that while many might choose to see Bad Bunny over him, some will still come to see the Pope. He also plans to meet with victims of sexual violence within the Church, a significant issue in Spain where a 2023 report estimated over 200,000 minors may have suffered abuse by clergy since 1940. Spain's government and the Church recently agreed on a plan to compensate victims. Later in the week, the Pope will celebrate Mass in Madrid's Cibeles square and deliver a speech to the Spanish Parliament. He will also travel to Barcelona to bless the Sagrada Familia basilica and commemorate the anniversary of architect Antoni Gaudí's death.

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They realize that there is a void, and a lack of meaning, and perhaps my visit has contributed to awakening something even more, that they don't even know how to define very well.