Pope's First Night in Madrid Draws Over 500,000 Young People for Vigil

(Central News Agency, Madrid, 7th – Special Dispatch) Pope Leo XIV presided over a vigil for the younger generation in Madrid on Wednesday, attracting over 500,000 enthusiastic faithful. He encouraged young people to become 'sparks of a new humanity' and to learn to listen to silence and seek truth.

The Pope began a week-long visit to Spain on Wednesday, the first papal visit since 2011 and the first for Leo XIV since his inauguration a year ago.

His first stop was the capital, Madrid, where he was greeted by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia at the airport, followed by a grand welcome ceremony at the Royal Palace of Madrid.

On his first day in Madrid, Leo XIV held talks with the King, Queen, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. He then met with government officials, the diplomatic corps, and civil society groups, and visited the Catholic charity Caritas before heading to the main event of the day: a vigil specifically for the younger generation.

According to Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, this historic religious event was held at the Plaza de Lima, outside the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, and attracted over 500,000 faithful and pilgrims.

The crowd was mostly young people and teenagers, but many families also attended, bringing folding chairs and yoga mats, waving Spanish and Vatican flags or banners welcoming the Pope, listening to musical performances and testimonies on stage while awaiting the Pope's arrival.

When Leo XIV arrived at the vigil in the Popemobile, he was greeted by enthusiastic crowds lining the route, cheering and shouting 'Long live the Pope'.

Several young representatives posed questions to the Pope about life and faith. Leo XIV, who served for many years in Peru, answered them in fluent Spanish.

When asked how to discern God's voice amidst the noise, the Pope advised listening to 'silence'. He said social media deceives and lies, and urged people to 'always seek the truth' because 'ideologies will fade, but the truth will endure'.

Leo XIV encouraged the younger generation to 'become sparks of a new humanity' in the face of the emptiness of indifference or blind conformity in modern society, and the violent threats of war and lies. He emphasized 'be a person who thirsts for justice' and encouraged young believers to bravely face life plans such as starting a family.

Before the Pope's arrival, five 15-year-old girls told CNA that they were high school students from the suburbs of Madrid and were very excited about the event. They said the Pope is their role model and this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They wanted to wish the Pope a successful tenure and good health.

Issac, 14, told CNA he came to see the new Pope up close and hoped the Pope would encourage the faithful to help the vulnerable, especially those suffering from war. His cousins Rodrigo and Fernando, who came with him, said in unison that they hoped the Pope would pray for them.

The Pope will stay in Madrid for four days before traveling to Barcelona and the Canary Islands (Gran Canaria and Tenerife). He is scheduled to participate in about 30 events, a packed itinerary. He brings a message of peace and anti-war to Spain and passionately calls for an end to social division, showing concern for the plight of the vulnerable and immigrants.