Following a meeting between the leadership of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE) and the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, Edgar Peña Parra, Cardinal José Cobo of Madrid confirmed the pontiff's desire to travel to Spain.
“"This came from the Pope. It is a personal initiative of the pontiff."
The three locations currently being considered, Barcelona, Madrid, and the Canary Islands, were proposed by Leo XIV himself. This meeting with the Secretariat of State is a formal and necessary step in the invitation process, putting the potential trip “on the right track.”
Preparations are still in a very preliminary stage. Cobo stressed that this is a “very long process” requiring accreditations, requests, and dialogue with the Government and state authorities. A first draft of the itinerary will now be presented to the Pope for him to indicate his preferences.
The potential visit to Barcelona is particularly relevant as it coincides with the 100th anniversary of the death of Antoni Gaudí, commemorated on June 10. The Sagrada Família is organizing an extensive program of celebrations. The most recent papal visit to the city was by Benedict XVI in November 2010 to consecrate the temple.
