Pope Francis addressed a crowd of more than one million pilgrims in Madrid on Sunday, in what organisers have described as one of the largest religious gatherings in recent European history. The event, held in the Spanish capital’s Plaza de Colón, drew worshippers from across the continent, signalling a resurgence of public faith in a region long characterised by declining church attendance and secularisation.
The pontiff’s message focused on the themes of hope and community, urging Europeans to resist isolationism and to embrace dialogue with migrants and the poor. His remarks come at a time when the European Union is grappling with economic stagnation, political fragmentation, and the lingering effects of the pandemic.
Analysts note that the scale of the turnout reflects a growing appetite for spiritual certainty amid geopolitical instability. Spain, traditionally a Catholic stronghold, has seen a steady decline in regular churchgoers in recent decades, but the Pope’s visit appears to have galvanised a cross-generational response.
Vatican officials confirmed that the Pope will continue his tour with stops in Portugal and France, where he is expected to address issues of climate justice and migration. The trip is being closely watched by European chancelleries as a test of the Catholic Church’s soft power in a continent searching for renewed purpose.
