Pope Leo XIV visits Madrid homeless center, says charity cannot wait

Pope Leo XIV stressed that "charity brooks no delay" during his visit to a Caritas center for the homeless in Madrid's Lucero neighborhood. On his first day in Spain, after an official welcome at the Royal Palace, the pontiff sought to connect with the most vulnerable.

He toured the facilities, including dining areas and rooms, greeting users and signing the guest book with a message: "Let yourselves be challenged by the gaze of those who need your help and welcome them with the charity of Christ." Later, he heard testimonies from individuals who had successfully rebuilt their lives after staying at the center.

Among them was Niurka, a 33-year-old lawyer from Cuba, who arrived in Madrid pregnant and alone. She shared with the Pope how the Church provided refuge, enabling her to raise her twins, Ares and Atenea, who were born and baptized there. "Today I look at my children and know we can have a future," she said, presenting the Pope with a ribbon bearing her children's names.

Khady, who came from Senegal in 2020 during the pandemic, also shared his story. He found people who offered respect and made him feel his life mattered, allowing him to find work and start anew. He gave the Pope a replica of his residency card.

Responding to their experiences, Pope Leo XIV stated that "charity brooks no delay." He described encounters with those in need as unique moments of grace for love that should not be missed or postponed. He thanked those who shared their painful yet hopeful stories, seeing them as reflections of God's charity. The Pope also lamented that some Christians are influenced by worldly ideologies and political or economic stances that lead to unfair generalizations and misleading conclusions.

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Hace poco más de un año llegué a Madrid sola, embarazada de mis hijos, sin saber cómo iba a salir adelante. Tenía mucho miedo. Pero la Iglesia me acogió. Aquí nacieron Ares y Atenea. Aquí recibieron el bautismo. Hoy miro a mis hijos y sé que podemos tener un futuro