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Spain

A first for King Felipe and Queen Letizia as historic visit lined up

By
9th January 2026
Queen Letizia wears the pearl and diamond tiara created by Cartier which features sparkling loops filled with pearls. She stands next to King Felipe.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia are set to be the first royals to welcome Pope Leo on a visit to their home country.

The Pope is expected to travel to Spain this summer for a visit that would take him to Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands.

It’s understood the islands, in particular, are important to Leo XIV to see as he wants to spend time in areas that are seen as hotspots for immigration.

Since his election as Pope in May 2025, Leo has spoken several times on immigration and urged reflection and contemplation to see migrants as ‘brothers and sisters’ rather than as problems to the countries where they arrive.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia with Pope Leo XIV
King Felipe and Queen Letizia meet with Pope Leo XIV at his papal inauguration on 18 May 2025 (© Casa de S.M. el Rey)

The visit to Spain was revealed by Cardinal José Cobo Cano, the Archbishop of Madrid, who said plans were under way for arrangements following a meeting with a top Vatican official.

Reports that the Papal visit to Spain could be in June haven’t been confirmed with Cardinal Cobo saying timings were still being decided.

It’s understood that the visit could also see a visit to the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona – its architect, Antonio Gaudi, died in 1926 and is now considered a potential candidate for beatification.

Pope Leo stands in the middle of King Charles and Queen Camilla
Pope Leo welcomed King Charles and Queen Camilla to the Vatican last year
(Royal Family/ Vatican Media)

It would be the first papal visit to Spain since 2011, when Pope Benedict XVI spent several days in the country. That was during the reign of Felipe’s father, King Juan Carlos. This would be the first time that King Felipe has hosted a papal visit.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia met Pope Leo during his inauguration Mass which they attended alongside royalty from around Europe.

Pope Francis never visited Spain during his time as Pontiff but is understood to have been keen to travel to the Canary Islands to show support for migrants.

Pope Leo’s first foreign trip following his election was to Türkiye and Lebanon in November 2025. During that visit, he said a potential journey to Spain was ”more than a hope”.

Before becoming Pope, Leo XIV had strong ties with South America, spending many years as a priest in Peru. It’s been reported that the Pope is hoping to return to the country soon.

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About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.