Daniel del Castillo González
When Pope Leo XIV visits a country, it is not only a major moment for the faithful there. The pope also gets the chance to experience the local culture, and hopefully its best food. But each trip is also a massive operation.
What many people miss in a papal trip is the huge amount of logistical work that happens behind the scenes: who is involved, how security is coordinated, how each city prepares, and how much it all costs. Spain already has the answer to the last question:
FERNANDO GIMÉNEZ BARRIOCANAL
Organizer of the papal visit to Spain
The visit will cost more than 15 million euros, but we also know the economic impact on our country will, in any case, exceed 100 million euros.
Much of the economic rush will be felt in the service industry. At the pope’s first stop in Madrid, hotel occupancy is expected to reach 82 percent. While in Barcelona, it could hit 90.
Madrid is also preparing to host a massive numbers of pilgrims. Officials are opening 33 public facilities and more than 80 schools to house nearly one-and-a-half million visitors.
PABLO GARCÍA FÉLIX
Youth Ministry Delegate, Cartagena
Our group will stay in two different locations. One is a school, and the other is a temporary shelter.
We’ll got to sleep. The same way young pilgrims always do. How can we forget the World Youth Days we spent crammed in halls, sleeping out in the open at the same place where we celebrated the vigil, and then the next day, attending Mass with the Holy Father?
Security is another major challenge for any papal trip. In Spain, authorities are expected to deploy up to 14,000 security personnel, along with additional local support.
FERNANDO GRANDE MARLASKA
Spanish Interior Minister
We are, without a doubt, ready to respond safely and responsibly to the Pope’s visit next June.
Beyond the security and accommodations, organizers will also rely on thousands of volunteers for everything to run smoothly.
The latest figures show that more than 20,000 people have already signed up to help coordinate the pope’s larger public events across Spain.
Among the most anticipated events are the Corpus Christi procession, the pope’s visit to the Sagrada Família, a gathering at the Bernabéu Stadium, and a Mass at Gran Canaria Stadium expected to draw over 45,000 people.
But there is more, the visit is also expected to boost employment: between June 1st and June 13th, companies are increasing staff and adding temporary positions to help handle the crowds and other logistics.
More than 5,000 new jobs have already been created. By the time of the trip, that number could rise to 15,000.
Six days, more than 2,500 kilometers, four provinces, and around 40 events, this is Pope Leo XIV’s first visit to Spain—or at least as pope, that is.
