The last day in the capital of Leo XIV was marked by a ceremony at the Cathedral of La Almudena and, after a ride in the papamobile, by his attendance at a grand event at the Santiago Bernabéu. It was the second time that Real Madrid’s stadium hosted a Pope since John Paul II’s visit in 1982. About 80,000 people, including many celebrities, were present at the Bernabéu Coliseum for a meeting with the diocesan community.
As a welcome gesture, Florentino Pérez gifted Leo XIV with a Real Madrid jersey personalized with his name, Robert F. Prevost, and the number 1. The recently reelected president of the white club also handed him a replica of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. The Holy Father, for his part, responded to the gesture by presenting him with a medal.
Pope Leo XIV was greeted with a thunderous ovation when he finally entered the Bernabéu, walking the pitch for several minutes amid the crowd’s cheers. «I suppose that for a football player scoring a goal in this stadium is something that marks his life, but today the Church of Madrid has scored a golazo forever», the American clergyman asserted.
After his historic speech in the Congress of Deputies, Leo XIV again referred to immigration during his address at the stadium. «Madrid is a great city where traditions and languages coexist. God knows every one of its inhabitants in love», he assured, before adding that «love, indeed, is the language that makes everyone feel at home».
The Celebrities with the Pope at the Bernabéu
Alongside Florentino Pérez in the box were the region’s top authorities and the capital’s. Both the regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, and the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, enjoyed the pontiff’s words and the musical performances. Accompanying the latter was his wife, Teresa Urquijo.
Victoria Federica en el Santiago Bernabéu.
The presence of the Spanish royal family was highlighted this time by Victoria Federica. The daughter of Infanta Elena arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu directly from the Nunciature, where a few hours earlier she had participated in a private audience with the pope Leo XIV. Also present at this meeting were her grandmother Sofía, her mother, and Infanta Cristina.
Christian Gálvez Y Patricia Pardo.
The broadcasting duo Patricia Pardo and Christian Gálvez served as masters of ceremonies for the event. «Thank you for the effort of so many hours. Here in Madrid there are people who have awards and people who bear scars. The Church of Madrid is there with all of them», the Madrid-based presenter said.
In the stands of the white stadium we could also see other names commonly seen in our country’s social chronicle. Among them were Luis Alfonso de Borbón and his wife, Margarita Vargas; Cari Lapique and her sister Myriam; chef Pepa Muñoz and Nuria González, the widow of businessman Fernando Fernández Tapias.
Margarita Vargas y Luis Alfonso de Borbón, en el encuentro con el Papa.
Music and Magic for Leo XIV
The Bernabéu encounter featured images of the Virgin of La Almudena and the Christ of Medinaceli, which were combined with a grand artistic display. The performers providing the soundtrack to the evening were singers such as Íñigo Quintero, Diana Navarro or Daniel Diges, while magician Jorge Blass entertained the attendees with his show.
One of the most moving moments of the meeting with Leo XIV was the performance by the Coro Familiar Iglesia de Madrid, created for this occasion and composed of a thousand voices, including three hundred children. The final crowning moment was provided by David Bustamante, who performed the Ode to Joy.
