UPDATE: The Pope asks Spaniards “not to fall into the temptation of trusting in other idols” in a mass before a million people
International Report:
Global attention remains focused on this evolving story as officials and analysts assess the broader implications.
The keys Generated with AI Pope Leo XIV presided over a massive Corpus Christi mass in the Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid, before more than a million people. During the homily, the Pope urged Spaniards not to fall into the temptation of trusting in other idols and to keep faith alive as an essential part of their identity. The ceremony was attended by the Royal family, political and religious authorities, and was accompanied by a choir and orchestra of 400 members. After the mass, the traditional Corpus Christi procession was celebrated, traveling along Alcalá Street with carpets of flowers and the participation of First Communion children. From six in the morning, when the sun began to timidly illuminate the streets of Madrid, the scene was already unusual this Sunday. Thousands of pilgrims – priests, nuns and noisy groups of young people with flags from all corners of Spain – crowded around the Plaza de Cibeles to attend the Holy Mass of Corpus Christi of Pope Leo XIV at ten in the morning. In their backpacks, many carried mats that revealed that they had spent the night in a sports center or school in the capital. Upon arriving in Cibeles, the display is mammoth. A large cross carved in wood presides over the stage, guarding a human wave of more than a million people (1,200,000, according to the Police; 1,100,000, according to the Government Delegation). Faced with such an influx, the entrances had to be closed, leaving thousands of faithful without room at the massive mass. However, last-minute chance allowed some to manage to occupy the few seats that were free. As His Holiness approached, the solemn music increased and silence began to take over Cibeles. But as soon as the Popemobile burst onto the Paseo de la Castellana, thousands of pilgrims ran en masse to see it up close, unleashing a tide of applause and cheers, such as “This is the youth of the Pope!”. The heavenly music of the choir and orchestra with nearly 400 members accompanied the Eucharistic liturgy in which Leo It’s just another party.” Adding that the procession of this day has for centuries captured “the piety, art, music, architecture and life of the Spanish people.” The Pope emphasized the word “remember” to insist that Spaniards do not have to “forget who the Lord is, so as not to fall into the temptation of trusting in other idols and feeding on bread that does not satisfy.” “Therefore,” he continued, “here is a charge for the Spain of today and tomorrow: that the religiosity that has animated this country for centuries is not a museum of the past to visit, but a school of faith from which to draw as well.” today.” After appealing to a “close God,” he reported that in Spain it was no coincidence that the day of Corpus Christi (in Latin, Body of Christ) coincided with the Day of Charity. For this reason, he urged “to let ourselves be freed from selfishness, from indifference, from a comfortable and private faith.” He did not want to conclude without remembering important national references for the Church, such as Saint Manuel González, the bishop of the abandoned tabernacles, and Saint John of the Cross, who was imprisoned in Toledo in the 16th century, and he hoped that “a full life may spring up for you, for your families and for your country”, which aroused collective applause. For his part, Cardinal José Cobo once again gave a traditional touch to his speech during the Holy Mass, so that the Pope would know the old Madrid saying “I was built on built water, my walls are made of fire.” “Although it does not have a beach, it keeps an immense aquifer in its bowels. To Christians, that image speaks to us of what the presence of the living water of baptism is like,” he explained to His Holiness. The mass was full of institutional representatives who were greeted by the Pontiff, starting with the entire Royal family. Only the Minister of Education, Milagros Tolón, attended from the national government; Pedro Sánchez will only attend the events in Barcelona during the Pope’s visit. Likewise, the leader of the opposition, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, attended; the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida – who presented him with the Golden Key of the city -, along with his wife, Teresa Urquijo; the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso; the president of the Senate, Pedro Rollán; the president of the Nuclear Safety Council, Juan Carlos Lentijo; ambassadors from different countries; and the top officials of the Greek Orthodox Church in Spain, among others. Procession on foot After the Holy Mass, the traditional Corpus Christi procession begins, along Alcalá Street to the church of San José, where they have prepared the traditional flower carpets, 16 specifically. The Blessed Sacrament will do it on foot carrying the monstrance under a canopy together with children who this year have received their First Communion, members of the clergy, faithful, civil and military authorities.
Key Developments:
Experts suggest the long-term impact of these developments may become clearer as more information emerges.
Additional reactions from governments and international institutions are expected as the situation evolves.
More details may emerge as official sources continue releasing new information.
Source: This article was originally published by El Español – Home and adapted for our international English-speaking audience.
Read the original article here.