Hundreds of individuals flocked to a central plaza in Madrid on Sunday to attend the main mass led by Pope Leo XIV, featuring a procession showcasing a traditional Spanish expression of popular piety: flower carpets. As Leo made his way to the mass, the crowd enthusiastically greeted him, chanting “This is the youth of the Pope!” while he rode in his popemobile through the plaza and nearby streets lined with spectators.
The mass took place on the Catholic Corpus Domini feast day, typically marked by processions in towns and cities with a priest carrying the eucharist. In Spain, as in other predominantly Catholic nations, these processions are adorned with intricate floral carpets along the route.
During his weeklong visit to Spain, Leo, who arrived on Saturday, emphasized the country’s rich Catholic heritage to inspire the younger generation to embrace their faith. At a vigil on Saturday night, around 600,000 young Spaniards knelt in prayer alongside Leo, signaling a growing interest among the youth despite Spain’s largely secular society.
Encouraging vocations to the priesthood and religious life, Leo addressed the crowd, urging them not to fear considering such paths. A young couple, Irati Valda and Javier Hormazal, shared their upcoming wedding plans with Leo, receiving his blessing during the vigil. Valda expressed awe at the sight of hundreds of thousands of young people gathered in silence, describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The tradition of crafting and later trampling flower carpets during processions dates back centuries and is also practiced in Latin America with sand designs. UNESCO has recognized Poland’s Corpus Domini flower carpet tradition, and Spain’s Galicia region aims to have its practice listed as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.
Spanish organizers revealed that 16 flower carpets, stretching half a kilometer along the procession route, were meticulously prepared by a florists association from Galicia. These carpets, adorned with over 30,000 flowers in yellow and white representing the Holy See flag, featured intricate designs including the Holy See keys.
Leo’s visit to Spain included a call for unity and an end to polarization. Later on Sunday, he was scheduled to meet privately with members of his Augustinian religious order and engage with cultural leaders.
