Madrid witnessed an emotional conclusion to Pope Leo XIV’s visit. Around 18,000 volunteers gathered at the IFEMA exhibition centre, having been involved in the major events of recent days. The meeting created a striking image: a dense “marea naranja” – an orange wave of people that completely filled the hall and produced powerful symbolic moments.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
The final public event of the visit was deliberately dedicated to those who had worked behind the scenes – the volunteers, without whom the organisation of such large-scale events would not have been possible in this form.
Gratitude to the volunteers at the heart of the event
During his appearance, Pope Leo XIV addressed the volunteers personally and praised their efforts throughout the intensive days of the event. He emphasised that their commitment went far beyond organisational tasks and represented a visible sign of solidarity, community and lived responsibility.
Many of those present had taken time off work or been granted leave in order to take part in the organisation and delivery of the events. The Pope expressed his sincere gratitude for this and highlighted the importance of such volunteer structures for major international events.
An “invisible army” behind the scenes
The role of the volunteers was repeatedly highlighted throughout the event. They were described as a kind of “invisible army” working behind the scenes to ensure order, guidance and safety. Their duties ranged from assisting visitors and managing logistics to supporting entry checks and the overall organisation of the venues.
Many volunteers later reported intense days with long shifts, high levels of strain and little sleep, but also a strong sense of community and unique personal experiences that they would take away with them.
Emotional voices from the crowd
Alongside the official speeches, the volunteers’ own perspectives also came to the fore. Some described the past days as challenging yet rewarding at the same time. A recurring sentiment was the feeling of having been part of an extraordinary event that rarely takes place in this form.
Despite the demanding conditions, including long shifts and organisational pressure, a sense of pride and solidarity prevailed among many. The shared work brought together people from different regions and backgrounds.
IFEMA as the centre of the large-scale event
The choice of the IFEMA exhibition centre as the venue underlines the scale of the event. Its extensive infrastructure made it possible to bring together thousands of volunteers while also ensuring an orderly conclusion to the series of events in Madrid.
The hall thus became a symbolic place of farewell, where the organisational work of the past days was once again made visible.
End of the Madrid programme and onward journey to Barcelona
With the meeting at IFEMA, the official part of Pope Leo XIV’s stay in Madrid came to an end. Following the emotional farewell with the volunteers, he continues his journey through Spain, where the next programme points are already scheduled.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Pope will visit the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc, where he will celebrate a Mass in front of around 40,000 worshippers. This event is one of the largest public services of his visit and once again highlights the immense response to his trip in the country.
The following day, a visit to Brians 2 prison is scheduled, where Leo XIV will hold talks with inmates in the morning. This will be followed by a visit to the Montserrat monastery, one of Catalonia’s most important spiritual centres.
For the evening, another highlight is expected: tens of thousands of worshippers are set to line the streets to welcome the Pope as he travels through the city in the so-called “popemobile”, a specially designed vehicle used for public appearances.
He will then visit Barcelona’s world-famous Sagrada Família to bless the church and officially inaugurate the Tower of Jesus Christ. In February, the upper arm of the 17-metre-high cross atop the tower was installed by crane, bringing the basilica to its final height of 172.5 metres.
In this way, the Pope’s visit combines not only religious and social elements, but also a highly symbolic moment for one of the world’s most iconic buildings.
