From June 6 to 8, 2026, Madrid experienced historic days: Pope Leo XIV visited the city at the beginning of his apostolic journey to Spain, which continued afterward to Barcelona and the Canary Islands. We followed it with great excitement from our workshop in Madrid, and we want to leave a brief review here.
Who is Leo XIV
Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope in May 2025 and took the name Leo XIV. He is the first Pope born in the United States, although he spent much of his life as a missionary and bishop in Peru, and he belongs to the Order of Saint Augustine.
The main moments in Madrid
- June 6. Welcome ceremony at the Royal Palace, meeting with the authorities, and a vigil of prayer with young people.
- June 7. Mass in the Plaza de Cibeles, joined with the Corpus Christi procession, and a meeting with the worlds of culture and economy.
- June 8. Meetings with the Government, the Cortes, and the Spanish bishops, a moment of prayer before the Virgin of Almudena in the cathedral, and a great final meeting at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
Almudena, patroness of Madrid
For the people of Madrid, it was especially exciting to see the Pope praying before the Virgin of Almudena, the city's patroness. According to tradition, her image was hidden in the wall for centuries and appeared in 1085, when Alfonso VI entered Madrid. Her feast day is celebrated every November 9.
What we are left with
A visit like this reminds us of something very simple: that faith is lived in community and passed from one to another. The same thing happens at home with medals: the one your grandmother gave you, the one you wore at your First Communion, the one you will one day give.
If you want to carry a reminder of your faith every day, discover our medals, designed and handmade in Spain. And if you are interested in learning more about Marian devotions, start with the Immaculate Conception, patroness of Spain.