Trees Removed from Cibeles for Pope Leo XIV's Visit

Madrid City Council is temporarily relocating six trees to municipal nurseries to protect them during the installation of the papal mass stage.

Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid with its fountains and statues under the afternoon sunlight.
IA

Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid with its fountains and statues under the afternoon sunlight.

Madrid City Council has removed six trees from the iconic Plaza de Cibeles to facilitate the installation of the stage for the mass to be officiated by Pope Leo XIV during his visit to the capital.

Six trees have been extracted from Plaza de Cibeles, three on Monday and another three on Tuesday, as part of the preparations for the Pontiff's visit to Madrid. According to municipal sources, the operation was carried out to protect the specimens during the assembly of the scenic infrastructure.
The City Council has assured that this measure is temporary and that the trees have been moved to municipal nurseries. Once the papal visit concludes, optimal conditions for their replanting in the square will be assessed. Should the climatic circumstances not be favorable, the operation will be postponed until autumn.
The Government team has emphasized that the trees remaining in their original location could have been harmed during the stage installation. They insist that this is a protective measure and not a definitive felling.
In addition to ensuring the replanting of the removed specimens, the Madrid City Council is considering the possibility of adding more trees to Plaza de Cibeles as part of a broader strategy to improve green spaces in the area.