Pope to visit Spain this year, with stops in Madrid, Barcelona and Canary Islands, cardinal says

Pope Leo XIV is planning to travel to Spain this year, with stops in Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands to fulfil Pope Francis’ wish of visiting a key migration entry point to Europe, a Spanish cardinal said Friday. Cardinal José Cobo Cano, the archbishop of Madrid, announced plans for the trip were underway after meeting with a top official in the Vatican secretary of state to discuss the itinerary. Spain had long lobbied for Francis to visit, but over 12 years he always declined.