Hundreds of individuals gathered at a central plaza in Madrid on Sunday for Pope Leo XIV’s main mass and a procession showcasing a traditional Spanish custom: flower carpets. Welcoming Leo with cheers and chants of “This is the youth of the Pope!” the crowd watched as he toured the plaza and adjacent streets in his popemobile, surrounded by enthusiastic onlookers.
The event coincided with the Catholic Corpus Domini feast day, known for processions led by a priest carrying the eucharist in many towns and cities, including Spain. These processions often involve intricate floral carpets lining the route, adding to the religious spectacle.
Leo, who commenced his weeklong visit to Spain on Saturday, aimed to emphasize the country’s rich Catholic heritage to inspire younger generations to embrace their faith. During a vigil on Saturday night, around 600,000 young Spaniards joined Leo in silent prayer, demonstrating a significant interest among the youth despite Spain’s predominantly secular society.
Encouraging the crowd, Leo expressed, “Don’t ever be afraid to consider a vocation to the priesthood, religious life, or other church services.” A young couple, Irati Valda and Javier Hormazal, shared their upcoming wedding plans with Leo during the vigil, receiving his blessing up close. Valda remarked on the powerful experience of witnessing half a million individuals united in silent prayer, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
The tradition of creating and subsequently trampling flower carpets during processions is centuries-old and prevalent in Latin America, where intricate sand designs are also crafted as offerings to the eucharist. Poland’s Corpus Domini flower carpet tradition has UNESCO recognition, while Spain’s Galicia region seeks similar acknowledgment for its cultural heritage.
Spanish organizers revealed that 16 flower carpets, adorned with over 30,000 flowers predominantly in the colors of the Holy See flag, were prepared by a local florists association. Featuring symbolic decorations like the Holy See keys, these carpets adorned the half-kilometer procession route in Madrid.
Leo’s visit also included calls for unity and an end to polarization among the Spanish people. Scheduled meetings with his Augustinian religious order members and cultural leaders were on his agenda for Sunday.