More than a million people have filled the streets near one of Madrid’s main squares to attend an outdoor mass led by Pope Leo, likely the biggest event of his week-long visit to Spain.
Crowds pressed against barriers near the famous Plaza de Cibeles, waving flags and shouting “Long live the pope,” as Leo arrived in his white popemobile for the service. Some people threw flower petals as he entered the square.
[Image: Leo rides on the popemobile before a holy mass at Plaza de Cibeles. Photograph: Yara Nardi/Reuters]
Around 1.2 million people gathered in the square and surrounding streets, according to the Vatican and local organizers.
During his sermon, Leo urged the crowd to live out their Catholic faith by helping others. He said God “identifies with the poor, the downtrodden, those who are alone and forsaken.”
[Image: Pope Leo and Spain’s King Felipe VI. Photograph: Chema Moya/EPA]
Earlier, after receiving the key to the city from the mayor, Leo wrote in a guestbook that he hoped Madrid would “remain a welcoming and inclusive city, where social life is inspired by genuine human values.”
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Leo started his trip on Saturday with meetings with migrants and homeless people, as well as a vigil with around 600,000 young people in Madrid. His visit from June 6 to 12 also includes stops in Barcelona and the Canary Islands, where he will meet people who risked their lives crossing from West Africa.
He said he hoped the visit to Spain—his first to an EU country outside Italy—would set an example for the world about respecting “every human being,” and urged leaders to stop dividing voters.
“I am delighted that he is praying for us migrants and for our safety,” said Andrea Margarita, a 72-year-old Peruvian who arrived in Spain six months ago, as she waited in the crowd in a wheelchair with her daughter.
[Image: The pope spends time with staff, volunteers and beneficiaries of a center for people experiencing homelessness and other situations of vulnerability in Madrid. Photograph: ABACA/Shutterstock]
After mass, Leo was scheduled to hold a private meeting with fellow members of his Augustinian religious order in the afternoon, before meeting figures from the worlds of entertainment, sport, and culture at a concert venue in central Madrid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the outdoor mass in Madrid with Pope Leo written in a natural tone with clear simple answers
General Questions
Q What is this outdoor mass everyone is talking about
A It was a huge Catholic religious service held outside in a public space in Madrid led by Pope Leo Over a million people attended
Q Why did so many people go to see the Pope in Madrid
A For many it was a onceinalifetime chance to see the Pope in person receive his blessing and celebrate their faith together with other Catholics from all over the world
Q Where exactly in Madrid did this mass take place
A It was held in a large open area often a park or a major square that could hold a massive crowd The specific location was chosen for its size and accessibility
Logistics Practical Questions
Q How did a million people fit in one place
A The event organizers used a very large open space People stood very close together and the area was sectioned off to manage the crowd
Q How did people get there Did they have to walk far
A Many took special trains buses and the Madrid metro Some walked for miles from the city center The city set up special transportation routes to handle the huge numbers
Q What about bathrooms and food for a million people
A Organizers set up thousands of portable toilets and had water stations and food vendors throughout the area People were also encouraged to bring their own food and water
Q Was it safe with that many people
A Yes There was a massive security operation with police medical tents and volunteers The event was carefully planned to manage crowd flow and emergencies
The Experience Atmosphere
Q Could people actually see the Pope from far away
A Most people couldnt see him with their own eyes They watched him on giant video screens set up throughout the area The sound system was also very powerful so everyone could hear
Q What was the atmosphere like
