Pope Leo XIV will lead a prayer vigil for around 37,000 people at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona on Tuesday, 9 June. This event marks the first major public gathering of his visit to Catalonia.
The vigil will unfold in two parts. From 6pm to 8pm, attendees will experience musical performances and periods of prayer. The second phase, from 8pm to 9.30pm, will feature Eucharistic adoration and the Liturgy of the Word, with the Pope present.
Entry to the vigil is free, with no religious requirement for attendance, and tickets will be available online.
Sagrada Família and Other Visits
The Pope's visit operates under the motto 'Lift Up Your Gaze', a phrase inspired by the act of looking up at the Tower of Jesus at the Sagrada Família. Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to bless this tower on Wednesday, 10 June. This ceremony will coincide with the 100th anniversary of architect Antoni Gaudí's death and will conclude with a custom-designed light show.
For those unable to enter the basilica, the Pope's visit to the Sagrada Família will be broadcast on screens placed outside. His itinerary also includes visits to Brians prison and the Monastery of Montserrat, along with a meeting at the Sant Agustí parish in Barcelona. This church is managed by Augustinian friars, the religious order to which Pope Leo XIV belongs.
Church representatives have stated that the Pope will "say something in Catalan" as a "sign of deference, respect and consideration for the language," according to officials. The journey to the Sagrada Família is expected to be made in an open-top car. When asked about a potential meeting with victims of Church abuse, officials did not rule out the possibility. Father Enric Puig, coordinator of the apostolic visit, noted that the programme is not fixed, allowing for possible meetings within the schedule.
Official Reception and Catalan Values
The Catalan government will host an "official reception" for Pope Leo XIV during his June visit, Justice Minister Ramon Espadaler confirmed. However, the location of this meeting, specifically whether it will be at the Palau de la Generalitat, remains unclear.
Espadaler confirmed that President Illa, Catalan parliament speaker Josep Rull, and the mayors of Barcelona and El Prat de Llobregat will receive the Pope at Barcelona–El Prat Airport. The minister welcomed the inclusion of a brief visit to Brians 1 prison, stating it would deliver "messages of hope" to inmates.
President Salvador Illa has called for the Pope's visit to be used to "show the whole world that Catalonia is a land of human values." Speaking at the opening of a Sagrada Família exhibition at the Palau Robert cultural centre, Illa said the Pope's stay should highlight Catalonia as a place of "coexistence, solidarity, welcome and dignity for all people" in a world where "the most basic human values are at risk."
Illa added that the visit would place Catalonia in the "global spotlight" with strong international visibility, while also "reinforcing the link between faith and architecture." He concluded, "With the visit of Leo XIV, Barcelona and Catalonia will once again demonstrate that they are a city and a country with a universal outlook."
Montserrat Preparations
The Monastery of Montserrat is preparing to welcome over 10,000 people during Pope Leo XIV's visit on 10 June, according to the Benedictine community. The Pope will preside over the Rosary inside the basilica, which will feature hymns sung by the Escolania de Montserrat, the monastery's renowned boys' choir. Large screens will be set up outside the church for pilgrims gathered on the mountain to follow the service live.
