Pope Leo XIV bids farewell to Madrid this Tuesday after an intense institutional, religious, and social agenda. The visit culminated on Monday with an event at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium for 80,000 people. Before traveling to Barcelona, the pontiff will meet with the 18,000 volunteers who participated in the events of his visit to the capital, at Hall 3 of IFEMA.

His final commitment in Madrid will be before his departure from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. In Barcelona, he will participate in the Prayer of the Midday Hour at the Cathedral and preside over an evening prayer vigil at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium.

On Monday, over 200,000 people, according to the Government Delegation in Madrid, attended the final procession of the popemobile through the capital's streets. The route ran between the Almudena Cathedral and the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, passing through emblematic points such as Calle Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Carrera de San Jerónimo, Plaza de las Cortes, Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo, and Calle de Alcalá.

The day concluded with an event at the Bernabéu organized by the region's dioceses. During his speech, Leo XIV used football symbolism to address the cardinal and archbishop of Madrid, José Cobo, stating: 'The Church of Madrid has scored a great goal forever'.

The pontiff also met with Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid, visiting the trophy room of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and receiving a personalized club jersey. The event featured performances by David Bustamante, Daniel Diges, and Diana Navarro, who sang the visit's anthem, 'Alzad la mirada'.

Hours earlier, at the Almudena Cathedral, where Queen Sofía was present, the Pope recalled the history of Madrid's patron saint and emphasized the need to 'destroy walls' to build something beautiful, evoking the discovery of the Virgin's image.

The agenda also included meetings with the leader of the Popular Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo; the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso; and victims of abuse within the Church. Addressing the bishops, he urged them to 'respond with listening, truth, justice, reparation,' and a decisive commitment to prevention and a culture of care regarding the 'plague' of abuse.

The journey included encounters with those living through dark times, especially those hurt by those who should have cared for them, including members of the clergy. The day began at the Congress of Deputies, where the Pope became the first pontiff to address the Spanish Parliament.

During his thirty-minute speech, Leo XIV advocated for reducing political tension and urged public officials to 'disarm language,' warning that 'political plurality should not degenerate into permanent disqualification of the adversary'.

The Pope addressed the migratory phenomenon, calling for a response that is 'coordinated, solidary, and effective,' and defended human life 'from conception to its natural end' in rejection of abortion and euthanasia, posing the question: 'If life ceases to be recognized as a fundamental value, what future can our societies have?'