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The Pope celebrated Mass before 1.2 million people: 'No one can kneel before the Lord and despise his brother'
🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

The Pope celebrated Mass before 1.2 million people: 'No one can kneel before the Lord and despise his brother'

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Madrid's Plaza de Cibeles, drawing an estimated 1.2 million faithful.
  • The event, held on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, was the most crowded of his six-day visit to Spain.
  • The Pope urged attendees to abandon "selfishness and indifference" and to avoid idols, emphasizing the importance of treating one's neighbor with respect.

Pope Francis made history in Madrid's Plaza de Cibeles on Sunday, celebrating a Mass that drew an estimated 1.2 million faithful. This event marked the most significant gathering of his six-day visit to Spain and surpassed attendance expectations, even exceeding the crowds at the 2023 Rome Youth Jubilee.

Nobody can kneel before the Lord and despise his brother.

— Pope FrancisPope Francis's message during his homily at the Mass in Madrid.

The celebration, held on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, was attended by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, along with city authorities. During his sermon, the Pope, described as the first Augustinian Pope, called on Spaniards to reject "selfishness and indifference of a comfortable and private faith." He urged them to embrace Jesus' invitation to conversion, to change their perspective, and to "receive his presence that transforms us and makes us builders of a new world."

Thousands of people, including families with children and individuals of all ages, began arriving at the iconic location in the heart of Madrid from dawn. The event was characterized by impeccable organization, with numerous security checks and large screens ensuring visibility for all attendees. Volunteers distributed water, hats, and sunscreen in anticipation of the large crowd.

Here in Madrid, but also in so many other places in Spain, Corpus Christi is not just another feast day on the liturgical calendar, but a return to the roots of faith to renew love and fidelity to God.

— Pope FrancisPope Francis reflecting on the significance of Corpus Christi in his sermon.

Upon his arrival in the popemobile, Pope Francis circled the area, receiving cheers of "This is the Pope's youth!" The atmosphere was one of immense enthusiasm. The altar was set up in front of the Palacio de Comunicaciones and the Cibeles fountain, a prominent landmark. The Pope reminded the faithful that "no one can kneel before the Lord and despise his brother," urging them not to forget Christ and fall into the "temptation of trusting in other idols and feeding on a bread that does not satisfy."

This is the Pope's youth!

— CrowdChants from the faithful as Pope Francis arrived in the popemobile.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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