Pope Leo XIV's Madrid Mass Draws over a Million

More than a million people gathered in central Madrid on Sunday for an open-air Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV during his week-long visit to Spain. Some 1.2 million attended the event, according to the Vatican and local organizers.

Crowds filled the area around Cibeles Square, waving flags and chanting "Long live the Pope" as he arrived in the popemobile, with some throwing flower petals in his path.

In his homily, Leo urged the faithful to demonstrate their faith through concrete acts of help for others, stressing that God stands on the side of the poor, the oppressed, the lonely and the abandoned. He also expressed hope that Madrid will remain an open and inclusive city grounded in genuine human values, returning repeatedly during his visit to the themes of solidarity, migration and social cohesion.

His program began with meetings with migrants and homeless people, followed by an evening gathering with hundreds of thousands of young people. He will also visit Barcelona and the Canary Islands before 12 June, where he will meet migrants arriving from West Africa.

The head of the Catholic Church said he wanted his first visit to a European Union country outside Italy to serve as an example of respect for every human being, and called on world leaders to stop dividing society and voters.

(reuters, max)