The city of Barcelona faces significant mobility challenges during the visit of Pope Leo XIV, scheduled for June 9, 10, and 11. Authorities have designed a comprehensive security and traffic management plan that will entail the closure of numerous streets and considerable alterations to public transport services. The most affected areas are expected to be the Barcelona Cathedral, the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, the Sant Agustí church in El Raval, and the Sagrada Familia.
The City Council acknowledges that navigating the city, especially in the Ciutat Vella and Eixample districts, will be considerably more difficult than usual. Therefore, citizens are advised to use the metro, which will have its service reinforced with additional trains on several lines to accommodate the anticipated increase in passenger numbers.
In the vicinity of the Sant Agustí church in El Raval, on Wednesday, June 10, total traffic closures will be implemented on several nearby streets from Tuesday, June 9, at 7 AM until Wednesday, June 10, at 11:59 PM. These restrictions include access controls, pedestrian management, and parking bans for all vehicle types.
The Sagrada Familia will be one of the focal points on Wednesday, June 10, with a security perimeter encompassing nine blocks around the basilica. Traffic and parking restrictions will be in effect from Tuesday, June 9, at night until Thursday, June 11, at 2 AM. Additionally, traffic closures are planned along the papamobile's route on Rosselló street.
The Barcelona Cathedral and the Episcopal Palace, the pontiff's residence, will also experience traffic restrictions from Monday, June 8, at 7 AM until Thursday, June 11, at 10 AM, affecting streets such as Avinguda Catedral, Tapineria, Llibreteria, Call, Banys Nous, and Palla.
The Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium will host a prayer vigil on Tuesday, June 9. From Monday, June 8, at 7 AM until Wednesday, June 10, at 2 AM, access restrictions and parking bans will be enforced on nearby roads, including Passeig Olímpic and Avinguda Estadi.
Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) will reinforce the metro service with more trains on lines L1, L3, and L5, and will operate a shuttle service to the Olympic Stadium. The Sagrada Familia metro station will be closed all day on Wednesday, June 10, with trains on lines L2 and L5 running without stopping. Modifications to several bus routes are also anticipated.
Rodalies (commuter rail) and Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat (Catalan regional railways) will also increase service frequency and the presence of information staff and security agents to ensure smooth travel.
Shared mobility services, such as the municipal Bicing (bike-sharing) and other shared bike and scooter operators, will also be affected within security perimeters, with temporary station closures or route alterations.
