One month before León XIV's arrival in Madrid, his visit, scheduled between June 6 and 9, is generating both anticipation and inconvenience. The Madrid City Council has acknowledged the “logistical challenge” posed by the event, which will involve hosting a large crowd of visitors and requiring ambitious security arrangements.
One of the most contentious aspects is the use of municipal spaces to house pilgrims. The Méjico public school, located in the San Pascual neighborhood of the Ciudad Lineal district, has been one of the selected centers. This decision has caused discomfort among families, as the school had planned a special activity, the “magic night,” which will now have to be postponed.
“"Yes, we are among those fortunate enough to receive the Pope's visit."
The parents' association (AMPA) expresses its frustration, as the activity is an annual tradition with prior planning that, in their opinion, has been “ignored” by the City Council. They had received municipal authorization on April 22 to use the facilities outside regular hours, but a few days later, the school administration informed them of the suspension.
Municipal sources from the Madrid City Council have stated that the selection process for centers has prioritized those where teaching would not be interfered with and that have suitable spaces for accommodation. They confirm having received requests from the Archdiocese and that the viability of public buildings is being analyzed with the 21 districts of Madrid.
The temporary cession of these facilities for a religious event, affecting the ordinary activities of public centers, has not been well received. The AMPA laments that, unlike other subsidized and Catholic schools in the area with better facilities, the Méjico school, which lacks changing rooms, has seen its gymnasium affected. The “magic night” was intended to use this pavilion and the school playground.
The activity, which included games and a dinner funded by families, had been authorized by the Ciudad Lineal Municipal Board for June 5. The permit established conditions such as the prohibition of using the kitchen and the designation of the gymnasium as a sleeping area, requiring a civil liability policy of 300,000 euros.
To date, the Madrid City Council has not specified the selection criteria or whether the scheduled activity of the Méjico school was considered when determining which spaces would be offered to the faithful. Nor has it been confirmed to families whether school activities will resume normally on the Monday following the papal visit. The AMPA has considered other dates for its event, although it considers the situation unfair and warns that it has not received official written denial of its initial request.
