The Generalitat has released a detailed financial report on Pope León XIV’s visit to Catalonia, confirming total public expenditure of €3.3 million. Published after an internal review by the Justice Department, it details how the regional government allocated funds for security and transport, alongside hospitality and promotional activities during the pontiff’s three-day stay in June.
Of the total, €2.8 million went as a direct subsidy to the Archdiocese of Barcelona, approved at the last Consell Executiu meeting before the summer break. The funding was intended to cover the papal vigil at the Estadio Olímpico and the full operation of the international press center at Fira de Barcelona. It came from the region’s tourist tax and was processed through the Department of Enterprise under a tripartite agreement signed in May by the Generalitat, Barcelona City Council and the Archdiocese.
A further €445,000 came from the Generalitat’s own budget for reinforced transport, extra security and event promotion. The Justice Department’s breakdown, obtained under transparency legislation, shows that €49,536 went to security, including coach rentals for police deployment and supplies such as bottled water and portable coolers for officers. The Interior Department’s total may rise because overtime for Mossos d’Esquadra during the visit is still being calculated.
Transport-related costs included €27,002 for service and surveillance enhancements. Of that amount, €6,923 went to the rack railway for the Pope’s visit to Montserrat Abbey, while €16,355 covered additional station staff and train drivers. The Department of Presidency invested €351,000 in the institutional campaign “Catalunya, terra de trobada,” using the event’s international exposure. The Catalan Tourism Agency spent €11,620 on marketing to foreign media, and a reception for international journalists cost €2,750.
The three official gifts for Pope León XIV totaled €1,794. They included a replica of the “Las Homilías de Organyà” book and a reproduction of the Ivory Girl from the National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona; the Justice Department provided the third item. Floral arrangements for the Pope’s meeting with inmates at Brians I prison cost €791, while staff overtime for the event reached €4,880.
Catalonia’s approach contrasts with those of other Spanish regions. The Canary Islands provided two direct subsidies of €1 million each to local dioceses, while Madrid offered venues and services without publishing a cost estimate. The Episcopal Conference said public administrations covered about one-fifth of the total cost of the Pope’s visit to Spain. Catalonia’s budget for the event rose in several stages, from an initial €1.6 million to €2.3 million and finally to €2.8 million. The final €445,000 came from sources other than the tourist tax.
Major religious and state visits in Spain often involve impressive public spending, with costs varying by region’s subsidy policies and logistical needs. Catalonia’s disclosure stands out because not all regions publish such detailed breakdowns. A recent lottery win in Cantabria also drew attention to public money’s role in local celebrations and infrastructure.
