Barcelona is preparing a security and mobility plan for Pope Leo XIV’s visit from 9 to 11 June. The city says the visit will coincide with the completion of the Sagrada Família’s Jesus tower and the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death.
The schedule covers three days. On 9 June, the Pope is due to arrive at the airport, with initial events at Barcelona Cathedral and the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc. The main events are planned for 10 June, mainly in Ciutat Vella and at the Sagrada Família, before his departure and the gradual deactivation of the plan on 11 June.
Barcelona City Council says the aim is to keep the scheduled events running smoothly, give residents in affected areas clear information and alternatives, and support both citizens and visitors. The Municipal Basic Plan will be activated, with operational meetings and coordination between the services involved. For official city updates, see the Barcelona City Council website.
City services including the Guàrdia Urbana, Civil Protection, mobility, cleaning and urban services have taken part in the planning. Nearly 500 Guàrdia Urbana officers will be deployed for mobility and security, with a focus on traffic control, access restrictions and high-attendance areas. Self-protection plans for Barcelona Cathedral, the Episcopal Palace, Sant Agustí Church, the Sagrada Família and the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium have been reviewed and adapted.
In Ciutat Vella, the area around the Cathedral and the Episcopal Palace will have traffic and parking restrictions from 7am on Monday, 8 June, until 10am on Thursday, 11 June. In El Raval, streets near Sant Agustí Church and Plaça Gardunya will face full traffic closures on 9 and 10 June, with access controls and pedestrian regulation during peak times. The city has not said these measures will be permanent, but it does warn that disruption may begin before the main event days and continue afterwards.
The strongest impact is expected in Eixample, especially around the Sagrada Família, where a large security perimeter will be in place on 10 June and into the early hours of 11 June. In Sants-Montjuïc, the area around the Olympic Stadium and the Olympic Ring will be restricted from 8 to 10 June, with access cut off and private vehicle circulation limited. For route and service information, readers can check the TMB website and the news tag page for related coverage.
Public transport will be reinforced during the visit. On 9 June, TMB will add four trains to Line 1, two to Line 3 and two to Line 5 from the afternoon. The operator says this will mean an increase of more than 50% on Line 1 and nearly 30% on Line 3 compared with usual service, with the biggest increase planned for 9:30pm when the event at the Olympic Stadium is expected to finish. An additional staff operation will be activated at 26 stations that day.
