Spain: Thousands Gather as Pope Leo XIV Reaches Barcelona

No Comment Video. Spain: Thousands Gather as Pope Leo XIV Reaches Barcelona Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 09/06/2026 - 18:38 GMT+2 Spain's Barcelona welcomed Pope Leo XIV on 9 June as thousands gathered for a prayer service at the city's cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia. The pontiff's visit includes a landmark ceremony at the Sagrada Familia Basilica. The pontiff arrived at Barcelona-El Prat Airport at 12:45 local time after a stay in Madrid and was greeted by cheering worshippers lining the streets around the cathedral. During a midday prayer service, Leo addressed the faithful in both Catalan and Spanish, calling for unity and thanking residents for their patience, joy and commitment to the Christian faith. The visit includes the blessing of the newest tower of the Sagrada Familia Basilica, recognised as the world's tallest church. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The Barcelona programme combines religious ceremonies with public events aimed at engaging local communities. Thousands attended the cathedral gathering, while an evening vigil with young people was scheduled at the city's Olympic Stadium. The visit comes as Barcelona continues to strengthen its position as a major destination for religious tourism and international events. Leo's stop in Catalonia will be followed by a two-day visit to the Canary Islands, concluding his first official trip to Spain as pope and reinforcing the Vatican's focus on outreach across different regions of the country. Spain Barcelona Pope Leo XIV Sagrada Familia Religion Tourism Top stories Now playing Next Spain: Thousands Gather as Pope Leo XIV Reaches Barcelona Now playing Next Hot air balloons fill Kazakhstan skies as festival returns Now playing Next Philippines earthquake: Residents clear debris amid concerns over aftershocks Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | June 9th, 2026 – Evening Now playing Next Iran trains in Mexico as US World Cup border troubles mount Now playing Next Watch: Bear captured after roaming through Japanese city Now playing Next Host cities in North America ready for biggest World Cup in history Now playing Next Divers capture the first ever video of a great white shark in the Med Now playing Next Police in Northern Ireland arrest man after violent Belfast stabbing Now playing Next Who pays the most and least for broadband in the EU? Now playing Next Why Ireland is under fire over its alumina exports to Russia Now playing Next Donald Trump booed by crowd during anthem prior to NBA Finals Now playing Next 'EU's environmental policy must be part of defence strategy,' Commissioner Roswall says Now playing Next Rare tour reveals hidden treasures inside Barcelona's Sagrada Familia Now playing Next Amid widespread protests, Albanian island project also sparks flood of fake claims Now playing Next Man arrested after violent stabbing in Belfast, Northern Ireland police say ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Xi Jinping meets Kim Jong Un as China and North Korea tighten alliance No Comment Belgium: Thousands protest alleged police violence in Brussels No Comment Cuba: Powerful offshore earthquake shakes Havana, prompting office evacuation No Comment Ukraine: Strikes in Zaporizhzhia and Sumy kill three civilians and injure dozens Europe News Why the Franco-German FCAS fighter jet project failed Europe Today Letta: Europe must unite or risk becoming a 'colony' of the US and China Europe in Motion How much is EU trade with the US falling? Iran Trump insists Iran deal is days away as both sides step back from brink Europe News New health risks emerge as Europe’s drug market grows more complex, EU agency warns USA Video shows Trump booed at NBA Finals game in New York Earth News NASA astronaut films Southern Lights from SpaceX Dragon spacecraft Europe Today Watch: Inside the deepest diplomatic crisis between Poland and Ukraine ADVERTISEMENT Europe News 'Heads must roll': France demands judicial overhaul after murder of 11-year-old girl Philippines Around 20,000 people displaced by Philippine earthquake that killed at least 37 Europe Today Europe Today: Former Italian PM Letta on Euronews as Iran halts attacks on Israel USA Trump booed by crowd during national anthem prior to NBA Finals in New York Lebanon Israeli strikes kill 14 in Lebanon as attacks persist despite Iran threat Art The Sun and the Moon: Saatchi Gallery's ambitious new summer show turns its gaze to the sky Europe News Why Ireland is under fire over its alumina exports to Russia Culture news Czech forest turns into Middle Earth for 750-player fantasy battle event ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT