Barcelona is preparing to welcome Pope Leo XIV next Tuesday, June 9, at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. This event, designed as a vigil open to all citizens, aims to bring together some 37,000 people, with the possibility of expanding capacity to 39,000.
The highlight of his visit to Catalonia will be the subsequent blessing of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Familia on June 10, coinciding with the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death.
Registration and access process
To attend the event at the Olympic Stadium, the organizers have set up a registration system via the official website “Alça la mirada.“ Registration will be available starting Friday morning, May 8.
Seat allocation will be managed as follows:
- Catholic community: Approximately half of the tickets will be reserved for parishes, religious organizations, and Christian associations.
- General public: The remaining tickets will be allocated strictly on a first-come, first-served basis via the website, with a maximum of four tickets per person.
Father Enric Puig, the diocesan coordinator for the visit, emphasized that the goal is for the event to be “open to everyone.”
Schedule for the day
The organizers have established a staggered schedule to ensure safety and the smooth flow of attendees:
- 4:00 p.m.: Gates open at the Olympic Stadium.
- 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.: First part of the event featuring musical performances and moments of prayer. During this segment, the pontiff will not be present, as he will be holding official receptions with authorities.
- 7:00 p.m.: Deadline for entering the venue; after this time, access to the public will be closed.
- 8:00 p.m.: Arrival of Pope Leo XIV, who will take a tour in an open-top car inside the stadium to greet those present.
Liturgy and musical performances
The event will combine festive and religious elements. The cultural program includes performances by the Montserrat Choir and singer Sergio Dalma, who will perform “Alza la mirada,” the official song of the visit.
Following the initial procession, the Liturgy of the Word will be celebrated, featuring biblical readings and reflections, followed by Eucharistic adoration. The ceremony is expected to conclude around 9:30 p.m., at which time the pontiff will proceed to the Episcopal Palace for the night.
