The Vatican has officially announced that Pope Leon XIV will make a historic visit to Spain from June 6 to 12, 2024, marking the first papal visit in 15 years. The announcement came from the Holy See's Press Office and has generated excitement within the Catholic community in Spain, which has awaited this visit for months. During the visit, Pope Leon XIV is expected to celebrate Mass and engage with local faith leaders.

The itinerary includes significant stops in major Spanish cities, starting with Madrid and followed by Barcelona, where he will inaugurate the new Tower of Jesus at the Sagrada Familia basilica. This event coincides with the centenary of Antoni Gaudí's death, underscoring the Catholic Church's effort to honor cultural and historical elements of Catholicism in Spain. Additionally, the Pope's planned visit to the Canary Islands intends to highlight the ongoing crisis of migration, addressing both the spiritual and social dimensions of this issue.

Moreover, the Pope’s trip will extend beyond Spain as he is scheduled to visit Monaco in March, and then several African nations including Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea in April. This broader travel itinerary indicates a strategy to engage with various global communities, particularly focusing on issues like migration, which are affecting multiple regions. The precise program for the Spain visit will be announced later, which promises to be a momentous occasion for Spanish Catholics and the broader community.