Over a million people gathered in Madrid for the Pope's Mass

More than 1.2 million people gathered on the streets of central Madrid to see Pope Leo XIV during his five-day trip to Spain. The Pontiff held an open-air mass and addressed the faithful with a call to keep their faith alive. This was reported by DW, according to UNN.

Details

According to the publication, more than 1.2 million people gathered on the streets of the Spanish capital's center on Sunday to see Pope Leo XIV, who rode the "popemobile" along Paseo de la Castellana Avenue to Plaza de Cibeles, where he conducted an open-air service.

Upon his arrival, people threw flower petals, waved flags, and shouted: "Long live the Pope!".

In his sermon, the Pope emphasized that religious events should primarily be an expression of faith.

"This is not an exhibition, not a relic of folklore, or a simple demonstration of beauty. It is a confession of faith in the presence of the risen Lord, who is alive and continues to walk among us,"

According to the publication, he also said that God "identifies himself with the poor, the oppressed, those who are lonely and abandoned," and called on Spanish Catholics to set an example.

"This is Spain's task today and in the future: to ensure that the religiosity that has shaped and defined this country for centuries is not a museum of the past to be visited, but a school of faith from which lessons can be drawn even today,"

Pope Leo XIV's trip to Spain will last five days and includes meetings with representatives of vulnerable groups, including migrants and the homeless.

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