Tote bags and Vatican flags: Barcelona prepares for Pope's visit 

As Barcelona prepares for the Pope's visit on June 9 and 10, signs of anticipation are visible across the city, from souvenir shops around the Sagrada Família stocking up on papal memorabilia to locals hanging Vatican flags from their balconies. 

But despite the media attention surrounding Pope Leo XIV's packed Catalonia itinerary, businesses are yet to see a boom on merchandise materialise.

On June 10 – the 100th anniversary of the death of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí – the Pope will say mass at the Sagrada Família and bless and inaugurate its tallest tower, the Tower of Jesus Christ.

Ringels is one of the biggest souvenir shops in the vicinity.

"We have mugs, tea towels, coasters, magnets, a tote bag, and also a special pouch for a mobile phone," store manager Juani Vega tells Catalan News. 

Although Pope-related stock arrived two weeks ago, customers haven't shown much interest.  "They were placed in the centre of the shop, but they haven't been very successful," Vega says.

"Things are moving a bit slowly and the Pope will arrive next week, so I don't know how it's going to go," she adds.

It's a similar situation next door at Emporio.

"Honestly, I don't think it's something people are really looking for at the moment," says Alex Castillo. 

"I think if demand picks up, it will be once he has actually visited, or on the day he comes,"

Vega and Castillo agree that souvenir suppliers and even the city council were better prepared for Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the Sagrada Família in 2010. 

"In terms of products, there were far more in 2010 and people were better prepared before the Pope arrived," Vega says.

Vatican flags

Away from souvenir shops, one item proving more popular is Vatican flags.

"The first 10,000 flags sold out very quickly, so we ordered another 5,000," explains Carmen Serra of the Ginesta Association.

The idea to purchase flags and make them available to local parishioners came up over dinner one evening.

"We thought that since the Pope was coming, it would be nice to do something that would have an impact across Catalonia," Serra says.

The organisation settled on the idea of encouraging people to hang the yellow and white flag of the Vatican.

"In Catalonia, people put up flags for major occasions, such as September 11 or Sant Jordi. We felt that hanging flags from balconies is already part of the local culture."

They hope that their initiative will make make the Pope's visit to Barcelona more visible.

"The Pope is one of the most important figures in the world, and for us it's a tremendous joy that he's coming to Barcelona. Not every Pope has visited Barcelona. He's also coming to inaugurate the cross atop the Sagrada Família and to mark the centenary of Gaudí. It's something we're genuinely excited about."