The organising committee for Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Barcelona shares the first details

The Archdiocese of Barcelona hosted the first press conference of the organising committee for the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Barcelona, scheduled as part of the key event commemorating the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death, in June 2026. Speaking at the event were auxiliary bishop of Barcelona, Mons, David Abadías, president; Fr. Enric Puig, SJ, responsible for coordinating it; and Esteve Camps, delegated president of the Junta Constructora of the Sagrada Família and deputy coordinator of the committee.

In his speech, Mons. David Abadías expressed his joy at the official announcement. "Now we can speak with certainty about what we all wished for". He explained that, although work had been proceeding discreetly until now, preparations have been underway for months and, although 10 June is shaping up as the key date, the exact days of the Holy Father’s stay in Barcelona and the final details of the events are yet to be confirmed. "A proposed agenda has already been sent to the Holy See, which they now have to approve", he added.

For his part, Fr. Enric Puig, SJ, coordinator of the organising committee, emphasised that the visit "is always a cause for joy for the faithful community", not only for Barcelona but also for Catalonia in general, and highlighted that it coincided with the Gaudí anniversary, the underlying reason for this trip.

Floral offering and mass

Esteve Camps provided details regarding the events at the Sagrada Familia, revealing that 10 June is shaping up to be the key date of the commemoration, with an offering at Gaudí’s tomb, the possible blessing of the tower of Jesus Christ and a mass at the Basilica. Camps spoke very positively about the visit and recalled the international impact that Benedict XVI’s visit in 2010 had for the dedication of the Basilica.

At the end of the press conference, it was announced that the organising committee is made up of a core team of about fifteen people and various operational subsections, coordinated by Fr. Enric Puig, SJ, with the participation of Esteve Camps and under the presidency of Mons. David Abadías representing the Cardinal Archbishop.