Pro-independence organisations are urging supporters to bring estelada flags to Barcelona’s Sagrada Família on 10 June, when Pope Leo XIV is due to visit the city. The call was made on Wednesday by the Assemblea Nacional Catalana (ANC), Òmnium Cultural, Consell de la República Catalana (CdRep), Lliga Espiritual de la Mare de Déu de Montserrat, and Associació de Municipis per la Independència (AMI).
The ANC announced the mobilisation on X, formerly Twitter, under the slogan Rebem el papa Lleó XIV amb estelades, which means, “Let’s receive Pope Leo XIV with esteladas”. The group said the gathering is scheduled for 6pm.
“Let the Pope know and let the world know. In Catalonia, in Catalan! Come with the estelada! We want independence,” the group said in its message, according to Europa Press.
The Pope is scheduled to travel along part of Rosselló street in the Popemobile from 6.30pm on 10 June, on his way to the basilica. There, he will lead mass and bless the Tower of Jesus Christ at 7pm.
His route through central Barcelona is expected to last about 15 minutes. It will begin at the junction of Rosselló with Roger de Llúria and Diagonal, and continue to the junction of Rosselló and Sardenya streets. For more Catalonia-wide coverage, see our news page.
