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When Pope Leo XIV arrived at the Church of Sant Augustin (Agustí Nou) in Barcelona's El Raval neighbourhood, he was being hosted, so to speak, by his brothers – four Augustinians who serve at the Church in Barcelona. This small Augustinian community comprises two Filipinos and two Tanzanians. Vatican News spoke with the Prior, Fr. Dennis Pineda – originally from the Philippines, but with over 16 years of pastoral ministry and presence in Spain.
Pope Leo XIV is set to arrive in the Canary Islands—the landing place for thousands of migrants coming from one of the deadliest migratory routes in the world. The local Caritas works with volunteers to “be by the side of the most vulnerable” and help offer a new life to those who make it to shore.
Describing the Basilica as a catechesis made of stone, color, and light, the Pope emphasized that those who believe cannot kill innocent people nor abandon those who suffer, who weep, who flee from poverty.
At a meeting with Diocesan Charity and Welfare organisations in Barcelona, Pope Leo XIV answers a young boy's questions about suffering, forgiveness and the meaning of life, reminding Christians that authentic charity begins with recognising Christ in every person.
After praying the Rosary and pronouncing an address in the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, Pope Leo spends some time with the Benedictine monks that run the monastery.
In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Pope Leo XIV will visit the Port of Arguineguín—dubbed in 2020 the Port of Shame after thousands of migrants arrived and were met with inadequate facilities. Now, the General Secretariat of Pastoral Care hopes the papal visit will transform this pier into a place of hope and allow migrants “to feel accompanied by the Holy Father.”
Pope Leo XIV reaffirms the precious value of the elderly and their role as 'life teachers' and reiterates that old age is a time of grace in a letter sent to Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life on the occasion of the Dicastery's Meeting dedicated to Pastoral Care of the Elderly.
At the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat in Spain, Pope Leo XIV prayed the rosary and called the faithful to accept the Virgin Mary’s invitation to always look to Christ that shows us mercy, reconciliation, truth and gentleness and “exposes the violence that can lurk in our words and attitudes.”
During his visit to the "Brians 1 Penitential Center," Pope Leo XIV reminds prisoners that life's mistakes do not define a person's identity, stressing that the Lord will never cease to show them His love, which outweighs any good or bad we have done.
Two days ago, Pope Leo XIV made an important stop at the Spanish Parliament at the Congress of Deputies, during his time in Madrid. Prof. Emilio Sáenz Francés, historian and professor of International Relations at Comillas Pontifical University, spoke to Vatican News afterwards about the significance of his speech.
On the fourth day of his Apostolic Journey to Spain, Pope Leo XIV closed his time in Madrid meeting volunteers before taking a short flight to the northeast part of the country: Barcelona.
At a prayer vigil in Barcelona, Pope Leo encourages young people to embrace their spiritual restlessness, trust in God’s presence amid suffering and mental illness, and view forgiveness not as a single act but as a gradual journey of healing and reconciliation.