Pope Leo XIV arrived in Madrid on Saturday, June 6, to begin his apostolic visit to Spain, which runs until Friday the 12th. The trip will also take him to Barcelona and the Canary Islands. The visit is eagerly awaited by the Catholic Church in Spain. The last time the country received a pontiff was in 2011, when Pope Benedict XVI came for World Youth Day in Madrid.
After being received by the King and Queen at the State Pavilion in Terminal T4 of Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, Pope Leo XIV entered the Plaza de la Armería of the Royal Palace of Madrid. He was escorted by the Royal Escort Squadron on horseback. An honor guard formation was assembled for the occasion, including the Sappers Squadron, the Band, the Honor Guard with its three companies — Monteros de Espinosa, Mar Océano, and Plus Ultra — the Royal Escort Squadron, the Royal Battery, and the Motorcycle Section of the Escort Group. At the foot of his car, the Pope was greeted by the King and Queen, the Princess of Asturias, and Infanta Sofía. Once in the royal box, the Royal Battery fired a 21-gun salute, the highest military honor reserved for heads of state, while the national anthems of Vatican City and Spain were played.
Later, in the Hall of Columns, the King and the Pope will deliver speeches before about 250 guests. Attendees include representatives from all branches of government, the national government, and the Pope’s Vatican entourage. Also present will be presidents of the autonomous communities, former prime ministers, representatives of parliamentary political parties, the diplomatic corps accredited to Spain, representatives of social organizations, the Executive Committee of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, and the National Commission for His Holiness’s Visit.