Pope Leo draws 1.2 million faithful to Madrid mass, calls for a faith beyond 'comfortable egoism'

A sea of faithful in the Spanish capital

Pope Leo XIV's second day in Madrid drew an immense crowd, with local authorities confirming 1.2 million people gathered in and around Plaza de Cibeles for the Sunday mass. The faithful lined the streets from the early morning hours, and the Pope's journey from the nunciature in his open-top Popemobile was repeatedly interrupted so he could bless children and greet as many people as possible. The crowd waved yellow-and-white Vatican flags alongside Spanish flags, and chants of 'Leon, amigo, Espana esta con tigo!' rang out. Access to the plaza was eventually closed after reaching maximum capacity, with some attendees arriving as early as 5 a.m. with chairs and water.

A call against 'comfortable' faith

During the mass, Pope Leo delivered a homily challenging the faithful to move beyond a self-centered spirituality. He stated that the ritual was not merely about carrying a monstrance, but about allowing oneself to be carried away from egoism, indifference, and a comfortable, private faith. He called for a conversion of perspective, embracing a presence that changes individuals and makes them builders of a new world. Following the mass, the Pope was scheduled to lead the traditional Corpus Domini procession.

It is not just about bringing out a monstrance, but about letting ourselves be carried out of egoism, out of indifference, out of a comfortable and private faith, to respond to his invitation to conversion, to change our gaze, welcoming his presence that changes us and makes us builders of a new world.

The meaning of the procession

Pope Leo explained the significance of the Corpus Domini rite, linking the Eucharist carried through the streets to Christ's identification with the marginalized. He emphasized that the same Christ who passes through the streets in the monstrance is the one who identifies with the poor, the sick, the lonely, and the discarded. The procession was the central liturgical act following the mass.

The Christ who passes through the streets in the monstrance is the same one who identifies with the poor, the sick, the lonely and the discarded.

Honours and royal presence

The day began with a brief ceremony where the mayor of Madrid presented Pope Leo with the Golden Key of the City in the atrium of the Palace, in the presence of the City Council members. King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and their daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, were also in attendance. After signing the Book of Honour, the Pope proceeded on foot to the sacristy to prepare for the celebration. The Spanish royal family was also present for the mass itself.

A viral moment and a mission for the young

During his journey through the streets, Pope Leo made the viral 'six seven' hand gesture for the third time, marking the first occasion he had performed the meme-inspired move outside of Italy. The previous evening, he had addressed at least 500,000 young people at a prayer vigil in Plaza de Lima, entrusting them with a mission to be a spark of a new humanity in the face of indifference, violence, and lies. He urged them to be authentic, reliable people who hunger for justice.

Faced with the void of indifference and conformism, faced with the violence of war and lies, be a spark of a new humanity. The mission I entrust to you is precisely this: be human.

A broader European message

Upon his arrival in Spain, marking the return of a Pontiff to the country after 15 years, Pope Leo addressed the need to overcome divisive narratives. He spoke of a specific European vocation to move from sterile simplifications to an appreciation of complexity, calling it a gift the old continent can offer the world. During his flight to Madrid, he also commented on geopolitical issues, stating that the situation in Iran is 'not a just war' and insisting on the need to push for negotiations in Ukraine.