Pope Leo XIV arrived in Spain on Saturday for a weeklong visit to one of Europe's traditional centers of Christianity.

Upon arrival in Madrid, Leo told reporters that sexual abuse within the Catholic Church remained "an open wound." His visit is expected to focus on immigration and social justice. 

Leo has also commended Spains government during his state visit to the country for its "commitment to peace and solidarity among peoples." 

The American-born pontiff was speaking at a reception at Madrid's royal palace as he began his six-day tour of the country. 

"I express my gratitude to your country for its faithful adherence to international law and multilateralism, which is reflected in an active commitment to peace and solidarity among peoples," he said. 

What is Leo's schedule in Spain?

According to the planned schedule, the Vatican said the Pope will:

• Start with a welcome at the royal palace in Madrid from King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia
• Attend a prayer vigil near Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium where 400,000 people are expected
• Meet young people in the square outside the stadium
• Attend Mass in the city center on Sunday, where a million people are expected.
• Make a speech to the Spanish Parliament
• Bless the new tower of the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, now the world's tallest church
• Meet with some victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy
• End his visit with a two-day stop in the Canary Islands, where Pope Leo will meet with migrants and the humanitarian organizations providing care for them 

Pope takes aim at 'polarizing narratives'

After arriving in Spain, the pope called for people in the country to not give into polarizing political narratives about history and society.

"Today, the temptation to gain popularity by fanning the flames of polarization seems to have grown rather than diminished, and human dignity continues to be violated," he said.

"For the love of truth, I invite everyone to set aside the divisive and polarizing narratives of your societal reality and history," he said, calling for Europe to "overcome sterile simplifications through the fruitful appreciation of complexity."

He also alluded to the history of Spain under Islamic Moorish rule, when cities like Toledo and Cordoba were "centers of dialogue between languages, religions and narratives."

Pope to address parliament

This is US-born Pope Leo's first trip to an EU country outside of Italy and the first papal trip to Spain in more than 15 years.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the Pope's central message will be for young people to help them "envisage the future, even in an age of strongmen, where the church seeks to foster holy men."

The Papal speech on Monday to both chambers of the Spanish Parliament will underline the visit. No pope has ever addressed Spanish Parliament before.

It comes at a time when Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faces mounting political pressure over corruption scandals.

Spain's changing religious identity

The papal visit comes as Spain's Catholic identity undergoes a crisis:

• Spaniards identifying as Catholic in the 1970s: 90%
• Spaniards identifying as Catholic in 2025: 55%
• Catholics who attend Mass regularly: 19%

Meanwhile, Pope Leo's image has appeared across Madrid on subway cars, billboards and metro ads, while souvenir shops are selling papal merchandise and bakeries are offering limited-edition pope-themed cakes and pastries.

Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko

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