Pope Leo XIV Leads Massive Flower-Carpeted Procession in Madrid

Pope Leo XIV presided over a Mass and flower-carpeted procession in Madrid on Sunday, drawing an estimated 1.2 million people for the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi. - The pope arrived at Plaza de Cibeles in his popemobile, looping through crowds several rows deep.

- Sixteen elaborate floral carpets, made from over 30,000 flowers, decorated the half-kilometer procession route. - Leo urged Spain to ensure its religious heritage remains a living school of faith rather than a museum piece.

- The pope's visit began Saturday with a vigil that drew 600,000 young Spaniards, who knelt in silent prayer alongside him. The event highlighted Spain's centuries-old tradition of religious devotion, with Leo calling for unity and an end to polarization.