Vatican delegation to visit Barcelona to prepare Pope's visit 

A delegation of the Holy See will soon visit Barcelona, Madrid, and the Canary Islands to prepare Pope Leo XIV's trip to Spain this June. 

César García Magán, spokesperson for the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE), said the exact schedule of the Pope's activities will be finalized after this preparatory visit.

With only four months remaining, the episcopate admitted they are "somewhat short on time" to complete preparations, which include events focused on spirituality, urban evangelization, and welcoming migrants. 

The visit will be state-level, with events in three dioceses, but engaging the entire country. The Vatican commission will also inspect sites such as the Sagrada Família on the ground.

Regarding Catalonia, no stops have been confirmed at iconic sites such as Montserrat Monastery, visited by Pope John Paul II in 1982. 

García Magán added, "the Pope is young and we hope this will not be his first, only, or last visit to Spain."

Gaudí Centenary Celebrations

Coinciding with the visit to the Sagrada Família, the Archdiocese of Barcelona plans a floral tribute at Antoni Gaudí's tomb in the morning and a solemn Mass in the afternoon of June 10. 

The proposal has been sent to the Vatican for approval. While the visit is not officially confirmed, the Archdiocese assumes it will coincide with the centenary of Gaudí's death.

Esteve Camps, President of the Sagrada Família board, said the morning will feature the floral tribute, followed by a solemn celebration. 

The inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ is also scheduled, and officials hope the Pope will bless it. Construction of the tower was completed only last week.

Officials expressed they are "happy" to commemorate Gaudí's centenary with the Pope's presence and have been planning a potential program since November, pending Vatican approval.