One of those who addressed the Pope was actor Antonio Banderas. He reflected on the enduring relationship between faith and artistic expression..
The Pope posed a number of deep questions to reflect on:
- “What legacy are we leaving for the future and, by extension, what kind of community are we building?”
- “What does it mean to be truly human?”
- “What values are we preserving and which are we allowing to die?”
- “Is it seriously possible to believe that Europe would be the same without the influence of faith?”
- “Who are the ones being excluded despite their virtues and abilities?”
Our future—as a common family—is dependent on whether humanity’s authentic greatness comes to the surface. To achieve this, Pope Leo challenged everyone to “be new protagonists for weaving new networks that harmonise all areas of life.”
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Day two in Spain: ‘What legacy are we leaving for the future?’
Celebrations of different kinds—religious, artistic, and musical—mark the second day in Madrid as Pope Leo XIV leads the Corpus Christi procession after Mass and challenges people from all sectors of life to “be new protagonists for weaving new networks that harmonise all areas of life.”
Day two in Spain: ‘What legacy are we leaving …
More than 1.2 million people celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi with Pope Leo XIV in the Plaza de Cibeles—a famous symbol 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.
Seeing the Pope is a highlight
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.
Papst Leo XIV. in Spanien: Tag 2 - Vatican News
Papst Leo hat zum Fronleichnamsfest in Madrid an diesem Sonntagmorgen eine große Messe mit Gläubigen gefeiert. Spaniens Katholiken rief er dazu auf, sich auf die Quellen ihres Glaubens zu besinnen und zugleich aktiv für Nächstenliebe und Gerechtigkeit einzutreten. An dem Gottesdienst und der anschließenden Fronleichnamsprozession mit dem Papst nahmen rund 1,2 Millionen Menschen teil.
Am frühen Abend hatte der Papst in der „Movistar Arena“ ein Treffen mit Vertretern aus Kultur und Kunst, Wirtschaft und Sport. Dabei erinnerte er Europa an seine christlichen Wurzeln und rief zu Erneuerung aller gesellschaftlicher Bereiche aus dem Geist des Glaubens auf. Zuvor tauschte er sich am Nachmittag in Madrid noch mit Mitgliedern des Augustinerordens aus.
Programm am Montag
Am Montag trifft der Papst zunächst spanische Abgeordnete und danach Bischöfe; am Nachmittag steht ein Gebet und eine Begegnung mit der Diözesangemeinschaft im Stadion „Santiago Bernabéu“ auf dem Programm. Die Treffen überträgt Radio Vatikan live auf Deutsch.
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