Pope Leon XIV bids farewell to Madrid volunteers, flies to Barcelona for Cathedral service and Olympic Stadium vigil

Final day in Madrid

León XIV will spend his last hours in Madrid at IFEMA, where around 12,000 volunteers are gathered for a morning of gratitude. The act, starting at 08:30 with the sung lauds, includes performances by musicians Pablo López, Soraya Arnelas and rapper Aisha Ruah, as well as testimonials. At 10:20 the pope will address the volunteers in what organisers call the farewell to the capital. From the Nunciatura, the papal motorcade will then travel to the Adolfo Suárez Madrid‑Barajas airport, with intermittent closures expected on avenida de Pío XII, the M‑30 and the M‑11.

Journey to Barcelona

At 11:10, the papal flight departs for the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona‑El Prat airport, arriving at 12:25. The visit is the first by a pontiff to Spain in 15 years, since Benedict XVI’s trip in 2011 for World Youth Day. Barcelona previously welcomed John Paul II in 1982 and Benedict XVI in 2010, when he consecrated the Sagrada Família altar.

Afternoon prayer at the Cathedral

The pope’s first public act in the Catalan capital is the midday prayer in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, scheduled for 13:00. Known as the Hora Media or Sexta, the prayer forms part of the Liturgy of the Hours and will be recited together with faithful worldwide.

Evening vigil at the Olympic Stadium

The Tuesday events culminate with a large‑scale vigil of prayer at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Montjuïc, starting at 20:00. The stadium will feature 50 confessionals (25 in the stands and 25 on the sidelines) for the sacrament of reconciliation. The programme includes a catechesis on Antoni Gaudí — whose centenary of death coincides with the visit —, testimonials, and a concluding address by León XIV. After the vigil, the pope will spend the night at the Episcopal Palace.

Traffic and transport measures

In Madrid, the main disruptions are limited to Tuesday morning around IFEMA and the airport, with possible cuts on Pío XII, the M‑30 and the M‑11. In Barcelona, restrictive measures begin earlier: from Monday 07:00, parking is banned on Avinguda de la Catedral between plaça d’Antoni Maura and plaça Nova, and from Tuesday 07:00 in the Raval area (carrer Hospital, plaça de la Gardunya, carrer Jerusalem, plaça de Sant Agustí, Arc de Sant Agustí). These restrictions remain until Thursday morning. Additional closures are expected on carrer Roselló and neighbouring streets in the Eixample when the pope moves through the area. To manage the influx for the vigil, public transport will be exceptionally reinforced: the Montjuïc funicular will run more frequently; metro lines with connections to the Olympic ring will be strengthened; bus lines 13, 55, 125 and 150 will be diverted or limited; and Rodalies lines R1, R2 and R4 will see extra services. The TMB and Autoritat del Transport Metropolità have advised residents to avoid private cars and use public alternatives.