King Felipe VI Replaces Queen Sofía at Farewell to Pope Leon XIV. At the last moment, King Felipe VI led the farewell ceremony for Pope Leon XIV in Tenerife. Queen Sofía was originally scheduled to attend. The pontiff’s visit became one of the year's most notable events.
There has been an unexpected change in the schedule of Pope Leo XIV's visit to Spain: the farewell ceremony with the pontiff in the Canary Islands will now be led by King Felipe VI, rather than Queen Sofia as previously planned. This was reported by the Zarzuela Palace press office. The change affects the final stage of the Vatican head's weeklong trip, which begins on June 6 in Madrid and ends on June 12 in Tenerife.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will welcome Pope Leo XIV at Madrid airport. On the same day, the pontiff will meet with Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia. The official welcoming ceremony will take place in the Armory Courtyard of the Royal Palace, with representatives of the government and religious organizations attending.
On June 7, members of the royal family will take part in the mass that the Pope will hold at Plaza de Cibeles. Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia will also be among the guests. After this, the pontiff will head to Barcelona, where on June 10, he will again be accompanied by Felipe VI and Letizia during his visit to the Sagrada Familia basilica.
The final stop on the itinerary is the Canary Islands. Here, at Tenerife Norte-Ciudad de La Laguna airport, the farewell to Pope Leo XIV will take place on June 12. According to the palace, this is the only stage of the visit where the royal family will be represented solely by the king. The last-minute change in protocol has brought a notable adjustment to the program.
During the visit, Pope Leo XIV will travel to Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands, and his arrival has already affected urban life. In particular, Madrid and Barcelona have introduced large-scale traffic restrictions and street closures to ensure safety and order during events attended by the pontiff.
Pope Leo XIV's visit has become one of the most significant religious events in Spain in recent years. The journey covers key cities across the country and involves all main members of the royal family. For reference: the previous visit of the head of the Vatican to Spain took place more than ten years ago, while the current program stands out for its scale and focus on the country's regional diversity. The Canary Islands were chosen for the final act for a reason—as the region traditionally plays an important role in Spain's intercultural and religious relations.
