Pope Francis leaves for Spain, focus on migrants and societal polarisation

(Patria) - Pope Francis leaves today for a week-long visit to Spain, his first European Union country outside Italy, where he will solemnly open a new tower at the famous Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona and meet with migrants who struggled in Atlantic waters to reach Europe, Reuters reported.

The first American-born head of the Catholic Church is expected to draw large crowds on the trip from June 6 to 12, which includes stops in Madrid, the Montserrat monastery and the Canary Islands, the Spanish archipelago off the west coast of Africa.

Francis, who angered U.S. President Donald Trump by criticising his immigration policies, will meet at the last stop with migrants and organisations that help them.

The situation faced by migrants is very close to the pope's heart, said Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office. "These are people and their stories must move us."

Pope Francis expected to condemn wars and polarisation

Francis, who in recent months has adopted a sharper tone against the direction of global leadership, is expected to deliver more than twenty speeches, becoming the first pope to address the Spanish parliament.

He will likely condemn wars raging around the world and encourage dialogue to overcome growing political and societal polarisation while in Spain, Bruni said.

Francis spent decades as a missionary and bishop in Peru before becoming pope last May, and will speak Spanish for most of the trip.

But when he meets migrants on the island of Tenerife, he is expected to speak French because many came from French-speaking Africa.

In sharp contrast to many leading Western powers, not only Trump's United States, the government of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has opened a mass amnesty programme, allowing about 500,000 immigrants to apply for legal status.

More than 3,000 people died in 2025 trying to reach the Canary Islands, often in makeshift rubber boats, according to the NGO Caminando Fronteras.

Sanchez has been praised abroad by some for criticising Trump, but at home he is under heavy pressure from a series of corruption allegations against his party.

After landing in Madrid on Saturday morning, Francis will meet with King Felipe and Queen Letizia at the Royal Palace, and address diplomats and civil leaders.

The same day he will meet with young people at the square in front of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, home of the Real Madrid football club, and visit a Catholic charity for the homeless.