On June 6, 2026, during his Apostolic Journey to Spain, Pope Leo XIV visited the CEDIA 24 Horas Social Project at the Information and Welcome Center in Madrid. The visit was scheduled for 18:00, after his official meetings at the Royal Palace and before the Prayer Vigil with young people in Plaza de Lima.

CEDIA 24 Horas, run by Cáritas Diocesana, is a social support center in Madrid that assists people experiencing homelessness, migrants, and individuals at risk of exclusion. Reports describe the center as offering round-the-clock help, including food, shelter, hygiene services, psychological support, and employment guidance.

During the visit, Pope Leo XIV met with both the workers and volunteers who serve at the center and the people assisted by the project. The atmosphere was simple, emotional, and deeply human, focused not on ceremony, but on listening, dignity, and compassion.

One of the most meaningful moments came as the Pope listened to personal testimonies from people who had found support through the center. Spanish media reported stories from migrants and vulnerable people who shared how Cáritas helped them rebuild hope after loneliness, hardship, and uncertainty.

Pope Leo XIV’s message was clear: every person deserves to be welcomed, respected, and treated as part of the community. His visit highlighted the Church’s mission to stand close to those who are often forgotten — the poor, the homeless, migrants, and families facing social hardship.

This stop at CEDIA 24 Horas became one of the most symbolic moments of his first day in Spain. Before addressing large crowds, Pope Leo XIV chose to stand beside the vulnerable — turning a quiet meeting in Madrid into a powerful message of mercy, inclusion, and human dignity.