Pope Leo Visits Spain to Stand with Migrants

The first American pope is bringing a message of solidarity to some of the world's most vulnerable people during his historic visit to Spain this week.

Pope Leo XIV arrives Saturday for a week-long tour that will take him from Madrid's grand halls of power to the Canary Islands, where he'll meet face-to-face with migrants who survived perilous ocean crossings. It's his first visit to an EU country outside Italy since becoming pope.

The trip carries deep significance for the refugees awaiting his arrival. "The first thing the migrants said to me when they were invited was their enormous gratitude that he would stand alongside them," said Caya Suárez Ortega, who heads Caritas Canarias, the Church's leading aid organization on the islands.

That gratitude comes from people who've survived unimaginable journeys. More than 3,000 people died in 2025 trying to reach the Canary Islands in makeshift dinghies, according to NGO Caminando Fronteras.

Leo's visit coincides with Spain opening a mass amnesty program that allows an estimated 500,000 immigrants to apply for legal status. The pope, who spent decades as a missionary and bishop in Peru, has been outspoken about welcoming migrants even when it drew criticism from political leaders.

The Ripple Effect

The excitement around Leo's visit extends far beyond the migrant community. More than 500,000 people have requested to attend papal events during the trip, with the largest gathering expected at Sunday's outdoor Mass in Madrid's Plaza de Cibeles.

Young Spaniards are showing particular enthusiasm. "This is the first time they are going to see a pope," said sociologist Narciso Michavila Nuñez.

Leo will also become the first pope to address Spain's parliament, speaking to political leaders about his vision for compassion and justice. He'll inaugurate the newest tower of Barcelona's Sagrada Familia basilica, now the world's tallest church, and visit Benedictine monks at an 11th-century abbey nestled in mountain cliffs.

Though not officially announced, sources say Leo is also expected to meet privately with Spanish survivors of clergy sexual abuse during his visit. The Vatican typically keeps these meetings confidential to protect survivors' privacy.

The pope's decision to spend his final two days in the Canary Islands, rather than ending in a major city, sends a clear message about where his priorities lie: with those the world often overlooks.