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Almeida asks not to 'monopolize' the Pope's speech and assures no critical groups in Madrid

The Mayor of Madrid highlights the logistical scale of the papal visit and the institutional importance of his address to Congress.

Generic image of a microphone on a podium.
IA

Generic image of a microphone on a podium.

The Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, asked on Monday not to 'monopolize' the speech that Pope Leo XIV will deliver to the Congress of Deputies during his visit to the capital, assuring that no critical groups against the Pontiff have been detected in the city.

The Madrid mayor stressed that the preparations for the papal visit present a logistical dimension "practically unprecedented" in Madrid. He highlighted the closure of Plaza de Lima, where a large cross has been installed, and the planned restrictions in Plaza de Cibeles as specific examples of the main venues for the Pope's stay in the city.
Martínez-Almeida reiterated that it is an "apostolic and pastoral journey," but emphasized the institutional importance of Leo XIV's address to Congress, noting that the Pontiff will show "bravery" in speaking to deputies and senators as representatives of all Spaniards. He urged the speech to be received without preconceived notions, but rather to be "welcomed and reflected upon," without attempts at political or ideological appropriation.
The mayor defined the Pope not only as "the head of the Catholic Church" and "our shepherd," but also as "a moral compass for the times we live in," insisting on the importance of listening to his words with respect and without trying to reduce them to partisan interests. He acknowledged that Leo XIV's schedule in Madrid will be "exhausting," with a significant presence of citizens in the streets.
Regarding coordination between the City Council of Madrid, the Community of Madrid, and the Government Delegation, Almeida assured that the administrations have laid the groundwork for smooth operations, fully aware of the visit's importance. He recalled that Madrid will have to balance the papal agenda with other major events such as concerts, Real Madrid matches, and the San Isidro Fair, describing the weekend as "truly complicated and difficult."
Nevertheless, Almeida defended Madrid's organizational capacity to manage large-scale events, citing the COP26 and the NATO Summit. He confirmed that "in principle" no critical groups against Leo XIV have been detected in the capital, recalling the unanimous exemption of fees and the free use of municipal spaces for the papal trip. He maintained that the city, "by an immense majority," will rise to the occasion of this event, which will be the first time Leo XIV addresses Europe from a major city.

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