Barcelona: Pope Leo XIV concluded his visit to Madrid on Wednesday with a message of gratitude to volunteers before travelling to Barcelona, where he began the second stage of his Apostolic Journey to Spain with calls for unity, hope, forgiveness and a renewed commitment to building a more caring society.
During his final morning in the Spanish capital, the Pope met volunteers who helped organise and support the events of his visit. Thanking them for their dedication and generosity, he praised their willingness to respond when help was needed.
Addressing the volunteers, Pope Leo said that each person had contributed in their own way through their talents, ideas, efforts and kindness. He encouraged Christians to bring what he described as the "leaven of selflessness" into society, saying that acts of generosity help communities grow in their human, ethical and spiritual dimensions.
Shortly before noon, Pope arrived in Barcelona, where large crowds gathered along the streets to welcome him. His first major event in the city took place at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, where he joined the faithful for midday prayer.
In his homily, delivered in both Catalan and Spanish, Pope Leo reflected on the biblical images of the Bride and the Body. He described Barcelona's Catholic community as a living example of the Church's diversity, made up of people with different gifts, experiences and vocations.
Pope stressed that all believers form one body in Christ. While some members of the Church serve in visible roles and others work quietly behind the scenes, he said every person has an important place within the Christian community.
Emphasising the importance of unity, he told the congregation that the Church becomes strong when its members remain united and guided by the same Spirit.
Later in the evening, Pope Leo met thousands of young people at the LluĂs Companys Olympic Stadium. The gathering included personal testimonies from three young people who shared their experiences of conversion, mental health struggles, violence and suffering.
Responding to Ferran, who spoke about feeling empty despite achieving success in life, the Pope reflected on humanity's deeper search for meaning. He said that people are made for something greater than worldly achievements and encouraged young people to look within themselves rather than becoming overwhelmed by the fast pace of modern life.
Speaking to Carmina, who shared her experience with depression, Pope Leo expressed concern about social pressures that place excessive expectations on individuals. He suggested that some ideas of progress can create unhealthy tensions and urged those facing difficulties to find strength in Christ, especially during moments of darkness and suffering.
Pope also addressed Cecilia, who spoke about living through domestic violence, addiction and separation from her family. In response, he highlighted the importance of forgiveness, describing it as a powerful path toward healing and personal restoration.
Following the youth gathering, Pope Leo delivered another homily in which he invited Spaniards to reflect honestly on the challenges facing modern society. He pointed to issues such as poverty, social divisions and cultural changes, urging citizens to consider the kind of future they wish to build together.
Pope concluded by expressing his hope that Spain would continue to grow as a welcoming nation where every person's dignity is respected and where people are valued and loved for who they are. His message of unity, compassion and hope set the tone for the next stage of his pastoral journey across the country.