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Pope Leo XIV Draws Over 1 Million to Madrid Streets for Mass

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Pope Leo XIV visited Madrid, drawing over 1.2 million people to the streets for an open-air mass.
  • During his sermon, the pontiff urged Spanish Catholics to set an example with their faith and humanitarian values.
  • The Pope's visit, which includes trips to Barcelona and the Canary Islands, focuses on humanitarian teachings and engagement with vulnerable communities.

Madrid's streets overflowed with an estimated 1.2 million faithful on Sunday, eager to catch a glimpse of Pope Leo XIV during his visit to the Spanish capital. The pontiff, traveling in the "popemobile" down the main Paseo de la Castellana, was met with cheers and flower petals as he arrived at the Plaza de Cibeles for an open-air mass.

This is not an exhibition, a remnant of folklore or a simple display of beauty. It is a profession of faith in the presence of the risen Lord, who is alive and continues to walk among us.

— Pope Leo XIVDuring his sermon at the open-air mass in Madrid's Plaza de Cibeles.

"This is not an exhibition, a remnant of folklore or a simple display of beauty. It is a profession of faith in the presence of the risen Lord, who is alive and continues to walk among us," Pope Leo XIV told the assembled crowds. He emphasized that God identifies with the poor and downtrodden, calling on Spanish Catholics to embody this spirit.

Herein lies the task of Spain today and in the future: to ensure that the religiosity which has shaped and defined this country for centuries is not a museum of the past to be visited, but a school of faith from which to draw even today.

— Pope Leo XIVUrging Spanish Catholics to set an example with their faith.

The Pope, who is 70 and American, urged the nation to ensure its centuries-old religiosity remains a vibrant source of faith, not just a historical relic. "Herein lies the task of Spain today and in the future: to ensure that the religiosity which has shaped and defined this country for centuries is not a museum of the past to be visited, but a school of faith from which to draw even today," he stated.

May Madrid remain a welcoming and inclusive city, where social life is inspired by genuine human values.

— Pope Leo XIVWritten in the city's guest book after receiving the key to Madrid.

Earlier, Pope Leo was welcomed by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia and received the key to the city. He met with vulnerable individuals, including migrants and the homeless, before holding a vigil with approximately 600,000 young Catholics. His visit to Spain, his first to an EU country outside Italy, continues until June 12, with planned stops in Barcelona and the Canary Islands, where he is expected to address the issue of migrants crossing from West Africa.

These are good teachings, whether we believe in him or not. They are humanitarian teachings.

— Laura PeraltaA school councillor from Andalusia, commenting on the Pope's message.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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