Skip to content

PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV meets royalty, civic leaders, hundreds of thousands of youth in Spain

The Holy Father launched his six-day trip to the European country with a whirlwind first day of diplomatic visits and meetings with societal leaders.

Pope Leo XIV launched his six-day trip to Spain on June 6 by meeting with the countryʼs royalty before holding gatherings with civic leaders and huge crowds of young people in the capital city of Madrid.

The Holy Father met with the countryʼs King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia before paying a visit to a social services project in Madrid and then finishing the day with a massive gathering of hundreds of thousands of young Spanish citizens in the cityʼs Plaza de Lima.

See photos of Pope Leo XIVʼs first day in Spain below.

Pope Leo XIV waves as he prepares to board an ITA Airways flight to Spain on June 6, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV waves as he prepares to board an ITA Airways flight to Spain on June 6, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV speaks to journalists aboard the papal plane from Rome to Madrid on June 6, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV speaks to journalists aboard the papal plane from Rome to Madrid on June 6, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV disembarks from an ITA Airways flight from Rome to Madrid, Spain, on June 6, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV disembarks from an ITA Airways flight from Rome to Madrid, Spain, on June 6, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV is welcomed to Spain by King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and their daughters Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, in a welcome ceremony at the Royal Palace in Madrid. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV is welcomed to Spain by King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and their daughters Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, in a welcome ceremony at the Royal Palace in Madrid. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV addresses the king and queen of Spain, authorities, and the diplomatic corps at the Royal Palace in Madrid on June 6, 2026, the first day of his apostolic journey to Spain. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV addresses the king and queen of Spain, authorities, and the diplomatic corps at the Royal Palace in Madrid on June 6, 2026, the first day of his apostolic journey to Spain. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV greets a girl in a wheelchair during a meeting with a group of around 40 people with longterm illnesses or disabilities on June 6, 2026, at the nunciature in Madrid, Spain. | Credit: Vatican Media.
Pope Leo XIV greets a girl in a wheelchair during a meeting with a group of around 40 people with longterm illnesses or disabilities on June 6, 2026, at the nunciature in Madrid, Spain. | Credit: Vatican Media.
Pope Leo XIV hugs a boy during a meeting with a group of around 40 people with longterm illnesses or disabilities on June 6, 2026, at the nunciature in Madrid, Spain. | Credit: Vatican Media.
Pope Leo XIV hugs a boy during a meeting with a group of around 40 people with longterm illnesses or disabilities on June 6, 2026, at the nunciature in Madrid, Spain. | Credit: Vatican Media.
Pope Leo XIV meets with a group of around 40 people with longterm illnesses or disabilities who are cared for by charities in the Archdiocese of Madrid on June 6, 2026, at the nunciature in Madrid, Spain. | Credit: Vatican Media.
Pope Leo XIV meets with a group of around 40 people with longterm illnesses or disabilities who are cared for by charities in the Archdiocese of Madrid on June 6, 2026, at the nunciature in Madrid, Spain. | Credit: Vatican Media.
Pope Leo XIV meets staff and beneficiaries, including migrants, of the CEDIA 24 Horas center, part of the Caritas of the Archdiocese of Madrid in Spain on June 6, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV meets staff and beneficiaries, including migrants, of the CEDIA 24 Horas center, part of the Caritas of the Archdiocese of Madrid in Spain on June 6, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV pauses for a selfie after his meeting with staff and beneficiaries, including migrants, of the CEDIA 24 Horas center, part of the Caritas of the Archdiocese of Madrid in Spain on June 6, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV pauses for a selfie during his meeting with staff and beneficiaries, including migrants, of the CEDIA 24 Horas center, part of the Caritas of the Archdiocese of Madrid in Spain on June 6, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV meets a woman from Cuba and her twin babies during an encounter with staff and beneficiaries, including migrants, of the CEDIA 24 Horas center, part of the Caritas of the Archdiocese of Madrid in Spain on June 6, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV meets a woman from Cuba and her twin babies during an encounter with staff and beneficiaries, including migrants, of the CEDIA 24 Horas center, part of the Caritas of the Archdiocese of Madrid in Spain on June 6, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV greets young people at Madridʼs Plaza de Lima, June 6, 2026. The Holy Father began his six-day apostolic visit to Spain meeting with the countryʼs royalty and civil leaders along with hundreds of thousands of youth. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV greets young people at Madridʼs Plaza de Lima, June 6, 2026. The Holy Father began his six-day apostolic visit to Spain meeting with the countryʼs royalty and civil leaders along with hundreds of thousands of youth. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV speaks with young people at Madridʼs Plaza de Lima, June 6, 2026. The Holy Father began his six-day apostolic visit to Spain meeting with the countryʼs royalty and civil leaders along with hundreds of thousands of youth. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV speaks with young people at Madridʼs Plaza de Lima, June 6, 2026. The Holy Father began his six-day apostolic visit to Spain meeting with the countryʼs royalty and civil leaders along with hundreds of thousands of youth. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV looks upon the Blessed Sacrament after a meeting with young people in Madridʼs Plaza de Lima, June 6, 2026. The Holy Father began his six-day apostolic visit to Spain meeting with the countryʼs royalty and civil leaders along with hundreds of thousands of youth. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV looks upon the Blessed Sacrament after a meeting with young people in Madridʼs Plaza de Lima, June 6, 2026. The Holy Father began his six-day apostolic visit to Spain meeting with the countryʼs royalty and civil leaders along with hundreds of thousands of youth. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Follow the LIVE updates from EWTN News for Pope Leo’s Trip in Spain.

This article was originally publish on EWTN News in English.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp

EWTN News Staff

The EWTN News Staff is a team of journalists dedicated to reporting news concerning the Catholic Church around the world. Our bureaus are located in Washington, D.C., and Rome. We have sister language agencies in Kenya, Germany, Peru, Brazil, and Italy. You can contact us at contactnews@ewtn.com with questions.

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

St. Peter’s Basilica and the Display of Veronica’s Veil on the Fifth Sunday of Lent

On Sunday, April 6, the fifth Sunday of Lent, St. Peter’s Basilica renewed an ancient tradition by displaying “Veronica’s Veil,” the cloth believed to have wiped the face of Christ on His way to Calvary.

Today is the first day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2023

This Wednesday, January 18, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins. The theme for this year is
Translation of the mortal remains of Pope Francis on April 23, 2026, three days ahead of his funeral. Credit: Daniel Ibanez | EWTN Vatican

Last Moments of Pope Francis

After more than five weeks in the hospital battling double pneumonia, doctors advised Pope Francis to take two
Historic footage and the Abbey of Montecassino. Credit: EWTN Vatican

Montecassino: The Abbey That Rose Again and Again

MONTECASSINO, Italy — Rising above the Liri Valley, the Abbey of Montecassino has stood for nearly 1,500 years

Ten Years With Pope Francis, A Great Communicator: An Interview with Alessandro Gisotti

As we approach the ten-year anniversary of Pope Francis’ election, join us for an insightful interview with Alessandro

Pope Francis Creates Fundraising Commission To Solicit Vatican Donations

The Vatican announced Wednesday that Pope Francis created a fundraising commission to seek donations amid ongoing budget challenges.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com