Pope Leo XIV with 80,000 Receives a Hero's Welcome in Madrid's Stadium and says Be "like an open Bible...Love, indeed, is the language that makes everyone feel at home" FULL TEXT
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Pope Leo XIV, beginning with an impromptu address, responded to the stadium-like enthusiasm of the Santiago Bernabéu, the historic home of Real Madrid (soccer/football team), which welcomed him on a warm June evening for his meeting with the diocesan community. To more than 80,000 faithful, and to the entire Church of the Spanish capital, the Pope entrusted a mission that was far from simple. "Today the Church of Madrid has scored a goal for the ages!"
MEETING WITH THE DIOCESAN COMMUNITY
FULL TEXT ADDRESS OF THE HOLY FATHER
in the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (Madrid) on
Monday, June 8, 2026
_______________________________
Dear brothers and sisters, good afternoon!
I suppose that, for a football player, scoring a goal in this stadium is something that marks his life. But, Don José: today the Church of Madrid has scored a goal for the ages!
Thank you.
This evening is a great hymn of faith, and I am pleased to join my voice with yours to praise God and strengthen the bonds of such a beautiful ecclesial family, one that is learning the art of polyphony—that is, unity in diversity. I thank your Archbishop, Don José, for introducing the parable of the song, which shows how numbers, data, and facts are not enough to create community: our hearts need to sing, that is, to interpret events and situations, celebrating with others the meaning they radiate. For the Church, this happens in a unique way in the liturgy, the great memorial of history that has saved us.
Singing is a necessity that permeates daily life and challenges culture, urging it to remain open and constantly evolving. You are the diocesan Church in the midst of a people who love music, dance, and togetherness, but who also know conflict, resignation, and sometimes despair—situations in which the Gospel can open a path to hope. You bear witness to the Gospel in the capital of a large European country, home to institutions and organizations where important decisions are made for the present and the future, but also a destination for millions of visitors and brothers and sisters seeking new opportunities. Your joy will be contagious if, from being a fleeting emotion, it becomes a stable way of being, a deep feeling that renews individuals, groups, and the diocesan community. It is no coincidence that the apostles, in their writings, often invite the churches to joy, recommending it almost as a commandment. It is Evangelii Gaudium , a choral response to the work of God in Jesus Christ: his life, death, and resurrection have forever changed the perception of history for those who have encountered and followed him, even if in different ways and along different paths. Today too, the love of Christ compels us (cf. 2 Cor 5:14)—the verb used by St. Paul also means “captivates us,” “holds us together,” “possesses us”—and thus calls us to the responsibility of action.
Yes, dear brothers and sisters, as some of you have testified this afternoon, Baptism truly changes life. Our sensibilities, backgrounds, and priorities are found in Christ, and from his life we receive our lifeblood, like the branches of the vine. Specifically, this means that much of what was already within us is transformed, because it is oriented toward service, ceases to be a private gift, and serves the common good. We must not fear that it will never produce uniformity. In this regard, the New Testament, in the variety of its voices, testifies to communion in diversity, that is, to the understanding that disappeared at Babel, where everyone, according to the biblical account, forced into a totalitarian and merely human project, ended up failing to understand their neighbor.
In the Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, I proposed, as an alternative to homogenization and confusion, the figure of Nehemiah, who involved the entire community in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. “Today, rebuilding means recognizing that, in the plurality of voices and visions that sometimes recalls the dispersion of languages, there is nevertheless a luminous possibility: that of building together, transforming diversity into a resource and making listening and dialogue the common ground in which to cultivate justice and fraternity. And, in this shared work, Christians find their own way of building: directing action toward God, so that, in his light, pluralism may not be dispersed into disorder, but, in the practice of synodality, become the space in which humanity recovers its solid foundations and its ultimate end” ( Magnifica Humanitas , 10).
There is, therefore, a special relationship between the Church and the city, which takes on even greater importance in the epochal shift we are experiencing: a relationship that, naturally, manifests itself among real people, in work and personal relationships, but also in the various neighborhood communities, associations, and organizations. The specific nature of the Christian mission within large urban centers, where “a new culture is developing and taking shape” ( Evangelii Gaudium , 73), is becoming increasingly evident. Clarity on this point has matured considerably throughout the synodal journey, allowing us to know and listen to one another more deeply in the contexts where the diocesan community lives and takes shape. The question that becomes most important is: does what we are and do as Christians reach “where new narratives and paradigms are being formed,” that is, the “deepest core of the soul of cities” ( ibid ., 74)? It is true that giving an answer can be difficult, but it is possible if we search for the truth together.
That is why it is so important not to become scattered or shut ourselves away, each within the group or environment where we already feel safe, among people who always sing the same tune. To reach the heart of the city, we must cultivate the awareness that truth is symphonic and always surpasses us, cultivate the desire to find the Risen One, who always goes before us, precedes us, and perhaps is already present where we have not yet sought him. Therefore, seeking him and following him is the condition for pointing him out: otherwise, there is no evangelization, and today we can understand this better than in the past. In large cities, more than in other places, it sometimes seems that we no longer have the maps to navigate safely. Then we must relearn the spiritual art of being cordial, without which even the proclamation of the Gospel risks becoming an impersonal repetition and, losing its effectiveness, leaves room for frustration and mistrust.
Dear brothers and sisters, Madrid is a great city where different traditions and "souls" coexist. God knows each and every one of its inhabitants' hearts. He knows them as only He knows and can, that is, in love and, therefore, in freedom. He is infinite mercy and desires that all be saved. He desires it to the point of becoming flesh and taking upon Himself all the sin, evil, and negativity of the world. Behold Jesus Christ! Behold the Good News, the grace we have received and that we are called to share with everyone! For all, without exception, are made for life and for life in its fullness. The presence of the Church in a great city is a parable of this mystery of salvation. The Book of Jonah comes to mind, a jewel of the Bible that I invite you to read or reread, personally and as a community. It is no coincidence that it was precisely in the cities where the apostles established the nascent Church, encountering not only rejection, but also welcome where, in a more natural way, people face diversity and change.
Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you! Together, as a diocesan Church, you can offer the Gospel witness that unleashes the best forces of a humanity bombarded with images and words, yet hungry for justice and thirsting for truth. Have confidence in the increasingly evident fact that it is possible to return to the faith or to come to know it for the first time in adulthood. Be prepared to welcome new beginnings not as an exception, but as the rule of mission. Investment in parish and diocesan councils has no less a goal than this: to transform each person's sensitivity through a deeper listening to what the Spirit is saying to the Church. It would be a shame to reduce them to mere bureaucratic formalities. They are spaces for mutual listening for the exercise of discernment, without which not only does each person go their own way, but we also run the risk of not understanding where the Lord wants us to be, what He expects of us, and what conversions He is calling us to. When we attend to these spaces, then worship becomes life and bonds of fraternity and solidarity projects arise among people.
I invite priests to recognize the practice of communal discernment as one of the greatest opportunities that synodality offers to their ministry. Dear brothers, without losing sight of what is essential, regularly pausing with your people to interpret neighborhood life, cultural shifts, social tensions, and ecclesial practices in the light of the Gospel will enrich and console your ministry. It will also help each individual and each community to break free from isolation and experience the joy of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, when we reduce ecclesial life to a routine in which everyone remains enclosed in their habits and roles, what we lack is the Spirit. The Spirit raises up vocations and unites them, sometimes provoking agitation, discussion, and a search for new balances. Do not be alarmed by all this; rejoice in it.
The anecdotes we have heard tonight tell us, or rather, “sing to us,” how much life there is in this Church. One person gave the following testimony: “I can say without hesitation that I deeply love the Church, the family of God, where we all have a place.” Another said: “I felt great joy and responsibility in becoming a more active member of the community and sharing my gifts with the rest of the Church.” And still others related: “For us, serving in these programs is not only a way to help, but also a way to give back all the love and support we have received.” Here is the Church, dear brothers and sisters! Here is the music of the Gospel, with its infectious rhythm. When it touches the heart, it makes one feel welcomed with open arms, like the sister who came from Peru to Madrid. Many, like her and her family, are initially afraid to approach, having heard of prejudice and disappointment. The kindness of even a few can overcome the fear of many. Be, for everyone, like an open Bible: may the Word of God be found in your faces and in your lives. Love, indeed, is the language that makes everyone feel at home. Thank you very much.
Let us pray together with the words that Jesus taught us.
Our Father
Blessing
Source: Vatican Bulletin with Vatican Media Images - Text added
FULL TEXT ADDRESS OF THE HOLY FATHER
in the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (Madrid) on
Monday, June 8, 2026
_______________________________
Dear brothers and sisters, good afternoon!
I suppose that, for a football player, scoring a goal in this stadium is something that marks his life. But, Don José: today the Church of Madrid has scored a goal for the ages!
Thank you.
This evening is a great hymn of faith, and I am pleased to join my voice with yours to praise God and strengthen the bonds of such a beautiful ecclesial family, one that is learning the art of polyphony—that is, unity in diversity. I thank your Archbishop, Don José, for introducing the parable of the song, which shows how numbers, data, and facts are not enough to create community: our hearts need to sing, that is, to interpret events and situations, celebrating with others the meaning they radiate. For the Church, this happens in a unique way in the liturgy, the great memorial of history that has saved us.
Singing is a necessity that permeates daily life and challenges culture, urging it to remain open and constantly evolving. You are the diocesan Church in the midst of a people who love music, dance, and togetherness, but who also know conflict, resignation, and sometimes despair—situations in which the Gospel can open a path to hope. You bear witness to the Gospel in the capital of a large European country, home to institutions and organizations where important decisions are made for the present and the future, but also a destination for millions of visitors and brothers and sisters seeking new opportunities. Your joy will be contagious if, from being a fleeting emotion, it becomes a stable way of being, a deep feeling that renews individuals, groups, and the diocesan community. It is no coincidence that the apostles, in their writings, often invite the churches to joy, recommending it almost as a commandment. It is Evangelii Gaudium , a choral response to the work of God in Jesus Christ: his life, death, and resurrection have forever changed the perception of history for those who have encountered and followed him, even if in different ways and along different paths. Today too, the love of Christ compels us (cf. 2 Cor 5:14)—the verb used by St. Paul also means “captivates us,” “holds us together,” “possesses us”—and thus calls us to the responsibility of action.
Yes, dear brothers and sisters, as some of you have testified this afternoon, Baptism truly changes life. Our sensibilities, backgrounds, and priorities are found in Christ, and from his life we receive our lifeblood, like the branches of the vine. Specifically, this means that much of what was already within us is transformed, because it is oriented toward service, ceases to be a private gift, and serves the common good. We must not fear that it will never produce uniformity. In this regard, the New Testament, in the variety of its voices, testifies to communion in diversity, that is, to the understanding that disappeared at Babel, where everyone, according to the biblical account, forced into a totalitarian and merely human project, ended up failing to understand their neighbor.
In the Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, I proposed, as an alternative to homogenization and confusion, the figure of Nehemiah, who involved the entire community in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. “Today, rebuilding means recognizing that, in the plurality of voices and visions that sometimes recalls the dispersion of languages, there is nevertheless a luminous possibility: that of building together, transforming diversity into a resource and making listening and dialogue the common ground in which to cultivate justice and fraternity. And, in this shared work, Christians find their own way of building: directing action toward God, so that, in his light, pluralism may not be dispersed into disorder, but, in the practice of synodality, become the space in which humanity recovers its solid foundations and its ultimate end” ( Magnifica Humanitas , 10).
There is, therefore, a special relationship between the Church and the city, which takes on even greater importance in the epochal shift we are experiencing: a relationship that, naturally, manifests itself among real people, in work and personal relationships, but also in the various neighborhood communities, associations, and organizations. The specific nature of the Christian mission within large urban centers, where “a new culture is developing and taking shape” ( Evangelii Gaudium , 73), is becoming increasingly evident. Clarity on this point has matured considerably throughout the synodal journey, allowing us to know and listen to one another more deeply in the contexts where the diocesan community lives and takes shape. The question that becomes most important is: does what we are and do as Christians reach “where new narratives and paradigms are being formed,” that is, the “deepest core of the soul of cities” ( ibid ., 74)? It is true that giving an answer can be difficult, but it is possible if we search for the truth together.
That is why it is so important not to become scattered or shut ourselves away, each within the group or environment where we already feel safe, among people who always sing the same tune. To reach the heart of the city, we must cultivate the awareness that truth is symphonic and always surpasses us, cultivate the desire to find the Risen One, who always goes before us, precedes us, and perhaps is already present where we have not yet sought him. Therefore, seeking him and following him is the condition for pointing him out: otherwise, there is no evangelization, and today we can understand this better than in the past. In large cities, more than in other places, it sometimes seems that we no longer have the maps to navigate safely. Then we must relearn the spiritual art of being cordial, without which even the proclamation of the Gospel risks becoming an impersonal repetition and, losing its effectiveness, leaves room for frustration and mistrust.
Dear brothers and sisters, Madrid is a great city where different traditions and "souls" coexist. God knows each and every one of its inhabitants' hearts. He knows them as only He knows and can, that is, in love and, therefore, in freedom. He is infinite mercy and desires that all be saved. He desires it to the point of becoming flesh and taking upon Himself all the sin, evil, and negativity of the world. Behold Jesus Christ! Behold the Good News, the grace we have received and that we are called to share with everyone! For all, without exception, are made for life and for life in its fullness. The presence of the Church in a great city is a parable of this mystery of salvation. The Book of Jonah comes to mind, a jewel of the Bible that I invite you to read or reread, personally and as a community. It is no coincidence that it was precisely in the cities where the apostles established the nascent Church, encountering not only rejection, but also welcome where, in a more natural way, people face diversity and change.
Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you! Together, as a diocesan Church, you can offer the Gospel witness that unleashes the best forces of a humanity bombarded with images and words, yet hungry for justice and thirsting for truth. Have confidence in the increasingly evident fact that it is possible to return to the faith or to come to know it for the first time in adulthood. Be prepared to welcome new beginnings not as an exception, but as the rule of mission. Investment in parish and diocesan councils has no less a goal than this: to transform each person's sensitivity through a deeper listening to what the Spirit is saying to the Church. It would be a shame to reduce them to mere bureaucratic formalities. They are spaces for mutual listening for the exercise of discernment, without which not only does each person go their own way, but we also run the risk of not understanding where the Lord wants us to be, what He expects of us, and what conversions He is calling us to. When we attend to these spaces, then worship becomes life and bonds of fraternity and solidarity projects arise among people.
I invite priests to recognize the practice of communal discernment as one of the greatest opportunities that synodality offers to their ministry. Dear brothers, without losing sight of what is essential, regularly pausing with your people to interpret neighborhood life, cultural shifts, social tensions, and ecclesial practices in the light of the Gospel will enrich and console your ministry. It will also help each individual and each community to break free from isolation and experience the joy of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, when we reduce ecclesial life to a routine in which everyone remains enclosed in their habits and roles, what we lack is the Spirit. The Spirit raises up vocations and unites them, sometimes provoking agitation, discussion, and a search for new balances. Do not be alarmed by all this; rejoice in it.
The anecdotes we have heard tonight tell us, or rather, “sing to us,” how much life there is in this Church. One person gave the following testimony: “I can say without hesitation that I deeply love the Church, the family of God, where we all have a place.” Another said: “I felt great joy and responsibility in becoming a more active member of the community and sharing my gifts with the rest of the Church.” And still others related: “For us, serving in these programs is not only a way to help, but also a way to give back all the love and support we have received.” Here is the Church, dear brothers and sisters! Here is the music of the Gospel, with its infectious rhythm. When it touches the heart, it makes one feel welcomed with open arms, like the sister who came from Peru to Madrid. Many, like her and her family, are initially afraid to approach, having heard of prejudice and disappointment. The kindness of even a few can overcome the fear of many. Be, for everyone, like an open Bible: may the Word of God be found in your faces and in your lives. Love, indeed, is the language that makes everyone feel at home. Thank you very much.
Let us pray together with the words that Jesus taught us.
Our Father
Blessing
Source: Vatican Bulletin with Vatican Media Images - Text added
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