Madrid: More than 1.2million people attend Corpus Christi Mass with Pope Leo

Image: Vatican Media

Source: Vatican Media

More than 1.2 million people celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi with Pope Leo XIV in the Plaza de Cibeles - a famous feature of the city of Madrid - on the second day of his Apostolic Journey to Spain.

Surrounded by pilgrims from across the world, the Pope reflected on the mystery the Church commemorates on this day, stressing that in Spain, Corpus Christi is more than just a liturgical celebration. The Catholic traditions in which the Spanish faith and history are rooted, including floral arrangements and solemn processions, "have for centuries shaped the piety, art, music, architecture and life of the Spanish people."

However, he stressed that these are not meant to be seen as part of an exhibition or folklore. Rather, a profession of faith.

More than looking back at the history of the country, Pope Leo outlined a task for "Spain today and in the future: to ensure that the religiosity which has shaped and defined this country for centuries is not a museum of the past to be visited, but a school of faith from which to draw even today."

Jesus present in the Eucharist, he highlighted, can help make us into bread "that is broken, given, and offered" in a way that brings fullness to ourselves, our families, and our countries.

Celebrating the feast day and hearing of Pope Leo's presence drove some pilgrims to travel from afar to the morning Mass. Marianne drove from Toledo, Spain, at 4 in the morning to wait hours to see the Pope pass by in the popemobile before the liturgy.

She acknowledged how unique an opportunity it is to be able to "come to see him very close" in Madrid.

Augustinian Recollect Friar Francisco from Costa Rica has a religious brotherly connection with the Pope and was moved to see how many people have come to see Pope Leo.

With about 600,000 people present at the youth prayer vigil on Saturday and over a million at the Mass on Sunday morning, Francisco highlighted how beautiful it is to share the experience with so many young people. The large crowds show "that the faith here in Spain is actually quite alive." It gives him hope and "light to move forward."

For others, like Alexia, the Mass was in her "backyard". Hailing from Madrid, she was able to sleep in until 5:30 am and still manage to get a spot. Yet, nothing would have prevented her from attending. "It's so worth it. If I had to come here at 4 am, I would be here!"

For Alexia, the opportunity to see the Pope is always something special-even if she had seen him just last year during the Jubilee. She believes his message "is alive; it's strong; it has meaning, and it has changed us."

LINKS

Pope Leo's Corpus Christi homily text in Plaza de Cibeles: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2026/06/07/0483/00926.html

Watch the Corpus Christi Procession and Mass: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV7WQbdajJo