Pope Leo XIV in Madrid; 1.2 million urged to practice 'humanity and help others'

Local authorities have estimated over 1.2 million people have lined the streets of Madrid for a mass and procession held by Pope Leo XIV on the second day of his visit to Spain.

Millions of people lined the streets of Madrid on Sunday as Pope Leo XIV celebrated an open-air Mass in the Spanish capital.

Worshippers waved Spanish and Vatican flags and shouted "long live the Pope," while others threw petals upon his arrival at the Plaza de Cibeles.

Pope Leo greeted the crowds as he made his way through the city in his popemobile on the second day of his official visit to the country, with King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia among the congregants for his morning service.

Pope Leo urged reviving humanity:

Pope Leo XIV has issued a series of urgent calls to revive human empathy, connection, and dignity in the face of modern global crises.

 He has stressed that our shared humanity must serve as the primary bridge to overcome polarization

"In the face of the emptiness of indifference and compliance, before the violence of war and lies, you must be the sparks of a new humanity."

During his sermon, he urged followers to express their faith by helping others, saying God "identifies with the poor, the downtrodden, those who are alone and forsaken."

He said they should not look at religion as "a museum of the past to be visited but a school of faith from which to draw even today."

The streets were decorated with banners bearing the Pope's face and thousands of white and yellow carnations to match the Vatican flag's colors.

Pope Leo XIV praised the Spanish government's opposition to global conflicts and its support for migrants during a reception at the royal palace.

Authorities mounted a major security operation for the Mass and subsequent procession through central Madrid.