Pope Leo XIV prepares a historic official visit to Spain in 2026, with date

Pope Leo XIV prepares a historic official visit to Spain in 2026, with dates still unconfirmed

09-01-2026

Pope Leo XIV will make an official visit to Spain in 2026, in what is shaping up to be one of the most significant religious events for the Catholic Church in the country in the coming years. Although the exact dates have not yet been confirmed, Vatican sources indicate that the Holy See is finalizing preparations for an apostolic journey that would be the Pontiff’s first trip to Spanish soil since his election.

According to consistent information from the Vatican environment and the Church in Spain, planning for the trip is at an advanced stage. The Vatican is expected to be the body to officially announce—within the next few weeks—the final schedule, itinerary, and pastoral objectives of the visit. The agenda is being designed in close coordination with the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, with the aim of reflecting both the Church’s diversity and the country’s rich historical, cultural, and social heritage.

Within the framework of these discussions, Madrid, Catalonia, and the Canary Islands are among the territories that could be included in Pope Leo XIV’s route. Representatives of the Spanish Church have recently traveled to Rome to hold meetings with senior officials of the Vatican Secretariat of State, addressing key matters such as the selection of liturgical venues, encounters with local communities, and the pastoral messages that will shape the visit.

Sources consulted point out that the program would include religious celebrations of major significance, as well as meetings with the faithful, social institutions, and civil authorities. Although specific events have not yet been detailed, the possibility of ceremonies in emblematic cathedrals and historic shrines is being considered, consistent with the pastoral and close-to-the-people character that defines papal apostolic journeys.

The potential inclusion of the Canary Islands carries particular significance. Beyond their spiritual and historical dimension, the archipelago represents a social reality marked by migratory flows—an area that, according to Vatican sources, could be addressed in the Pontiff’s pastoral message, although this aspect has not been officially confirmed.

Experts in religious affairs emphasize that a papal visit to Spain would have an impact extending beyond strictly ecclesial matters, also resonating in cultural and social spheres. Pope Leo XIV’s journey is seen as a gesture of closeness to Spanish Catholics and a reaffirmation of the historical ties between Spain and the Catholic Church, within a European context shaped by profound social and religious change.

The official confirmation by the Holy See, expected soon, will specify the definitive dates, the cities included, and the main pastoral themes of the trip. Until then, anticipation continues to grow among the faithful, religious institutions, and authorities, in view of what is emerging as a highly symbolic event for the Church in Spain and for European Catholicism as a whole in 2026.

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