Official confirmation of the Pope’s trip to Spain is getting closer and closer. At least, that is what the Archbishop of Madrid stated after a meeting at the Vatican, which was attended by a delegation of the Spanish Church.
CARD. JOSÉ COBO
Archbishop of Madrid
This is a first meeting convened by the Secretariat of State to begin thinking about and planning a visit of the Holy Father to Spain.
I can say it will be Madrid, I can say it will be Barcelona, and that the Canary Islands will be the third destination.
Although the official dates have not yet been confirmed, Cobo describes this visit as a great joy for the Spanish people.
CARD. JOSÉ COBO
Archbishop of Madrid
Indeed, there are good relations, and I believe that Spain, for a long time now, has needed and continually asked for the Pope to come. So I think that the opening of this door right now is a reason for hope and joy for everyone, both for the civil authorities and for the Church in Spain.
Looking back, the last pope to visit Spain was Pope Benedict XVI in 2011 for World Youth Day, which was held in Madrid.
Since then, 15 years have passed without a pope setting foot on Spanish soil. It is true that Pope Francis expressed his interest in visiting the Canary Islands because of the migration crisis.
POPE FRANCIS
I am thinking a little about going to the Canary Islands, because there are situations there involving migrants who arrive by sea, and I would like to be close to the authorities and to the people.
It was a trip that sparked great interest among Spaniards, but ultimately it could not take place due to Pope Francis’s health problems.
BAM
Trans. CRT
