Pope Leo XIV to Visit Spain, Inaugurate Sagrada Tower

Pope Leo XIV will visit Spain from June 6 to 12, inaugurating the central Tower of Jesus Christ at Barcelona's Sagrada Familia basilica and meeting migrants at a reception center in the Canary Islands, the Vatican announced Wednesday.

The weeklong trip begins in Madrid, where the pope, the first U.S.-born pontiff, will hold meetings with government officials, parliament members, and King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. He will also lead a prayer vigil with young people, evoking the 2011 World Youth Day hosted there by Pope Benedict XVI. Leo is scheduled to address Spain's parliament, an event Archbishop Luis Argüello of Valladolid, head of the Spanish bishops' conference, described as significant. "Parliament as the embodiment of national sovereignty needs to reflect on what an ethical and spiritual reference means at a time of the undoubtedly necessary renewal of our democratic life," Argüello said.

In Barcelona, Leo will commemorate the 100th anniversary of architect Antoni Gaudí's death on June 10. Gaudí designed the Sagrada Familia, now the world's tallest church at 172.5 meters (566 feet) following installation of the central tower in February. The pope will celebrate an...