UNIPA News(Madrid) 07 June-Pope Leo XIV on Sunday described Spain’s centuries-old religious traditions as a “school of faith” for modern generations, as he celebrated a Corpus Christi Mass attended by more than one million people in central Madrid.
According to local organizers, approximately 1.2 million worshippers gathered around Plaza de Cibeles and nearby streets for the Mass and subsequent Eucharistic procession, marking one of the largest public events of the pontiff’s weeklong visit to Spain.
The celebration coincided with the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi, traditionally observed through public processions honoring the Eucharist. In Madrid, the procession route was decorated with 16 elaborate floral carpets stretching roughly half a kilometer. Organized by a florists’ association from Galicia, the displays incorporated more than 30,000 flowers, predominantly in the yellow and white colors of the Holy See.
Addressing the crowd, Pope Leo said Spain’s longstanding devotional practices should not be viewed merely as cultural folklore or historical artifacts. He emphasized that such traditions remain expressions of living faith and spiritual identity.
“This is not an exhibition, a remnant of folklore or a simple display of beauty,” the pope said during his homily. “It is a profession of faith in the presence of the risen Lord.”
The pontiff argued that Spain’s religious heritage continues to hold relevance for contemporary society, particularly for younger generations. He said the country should preserve its traditions as a source of spiritual formation rather than as a museum piece of the past.
At the conclusion of the Mass, Pope Leo carried a gilded monstrance containing the Eucharistic host through the flower-lined route. Children scattered flower petals ahead of the procession while worshippers gathered behind barriers along the route.
Large crowds had already gathered the previous evening for a youth vigil attended by an estimated 600,000 people. During the event, the pope encouraged young Catholics to consider vocations to the priesthood, religious life and other forms of service within the Church.
Spain, once regarded as one of Europe’s most deeply Catholic societies, has experienced a steady decline in religious observance in recent decades. Nevertheless, major religious festivals, pilgrimages and processions continue to attract large numbers of participants across the country.
The tradition of creating flower carpets for Corpus Christi processions dates back more than two centuries and remains popular in Spain and parts of Latin America. Organizers in Galicia are seeking international recognition of the practice as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Pope Leo arrived in Spain on Saturday for a seven-day apostolic visit. In his first public remarks, he called on Spaniards to overcome political and social polarization and work toward greater national unity. The visit will also include meetings with members of his Augustinian order and representatives of Spain’s cultural community
