Pope Leo XIV: third pope visit to Catalonia in modern times

The early June visit of Pope XIV will mark the third visit of a pope to Catalonia since 1982, when John Paul II was the first pontiff to make an official visit in modern times. 

Leo XIV's visit comes 16 years after Benedict XIV, who visited in 2010. Pope Leo XIV, however, will be the first pope to spend two full days in Catalonia. 

Both John Paul II and Benedict XIV spent only one full day in Catalonia. All three popes will have traveled in the popemobile, visited the Sagrada Família and hosted large events. 

John Paul II 

In 1982 John Paul II was the first pope known to make an official visit. Landing in Catalonia on November 7, when only 8 of the now 14 towers of the Sagrada Família were standing. 

Packing lots into a single day, John Paul II started in Montserrat where he gave a homily. After which he traveled, via popemobile, to the Sagrada Família.

With adverse weather, he led a traditional Catholic devotion, the Angelus, outside the Nativity facade of the famous building. 

Traveling again via popemobile, he went to Barcelona Cathedral for a quick stop in the crypt of Santa Eulalia for prayer.

The afternoon started at Avinguda Marina Cristina, where John Paul II offered a few words in front of 200,000 people. He then headed to Camp Nou to hold Sunday mass to end his day. 

Benedict XVI

28 years later, in 2010, Benedict XVI made the second official visit to Catalonia by a pope. 

Landing the night of November 6, he unexpectedly greeted the crowd gathered before turning in for the night at the Episcopal Palace. 

Also transported via popemobile, he traveled to the Sagrada Família with an estimated 250,000 people lining the streets, though the city had anticipated 400,000 spectators. 

The onlookers included tourists, journalists, locals and even more than 200 gay people who kissed each other as the Popemobile passed to protest the Church's standing on homosexual relationships. 

Mid-morning on November 7, the same day as John Paul II's events 28 years earlier, Benedict XVI officiated a ceremony at the Sagrada Família. 

After two and a half hours, he prayed the Angelus in front of the Nativity scene outside the Sagrada Família, just as John Paul II did. 

When he concluded, he traveled to the Nen Déu charity, a program dedicated to children with Down syndrome and other disabilities, before departing Catalonia. 

Leo XIV 

With much anticipation, the pope will be visiting Catalonia once again. The third pope visit will follow in the footsteps of the previous two but with some distinct differences. 

The Sagrada Família visit, the popemobile and a large congregation of people to greet him are all features repeated from the previous pope visits. However, Leo XIV is putting his own stamp on the visit. 

Leo XIV will spend two full days in Catalonia and his visit to Brian's prison will also distinguish him from previous popes. 

The June 9 and 10 date also differentiates Leo XIV's visit from the other two, with both of the previous visits falling on November 7 of their respective years. 

The trip to the Spanish Congress on June 8 will be the first of its kind by a visiting pope.