1 of 2 | Pope Leo XIV blesses infants on his visit to the Caritas Charity Centrer in the Lucero neighborhood of Madrid Saturday. The pontiff is visiting Spain from from June 6 through June 12, with stops in Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands. Photo by Ciro Fusco/EPA
June 6 (UPI) -- Pope Leo XIV landed in Madrid Saturday to begin his one-week papal visit to the country, the first in 15 years.
Leo was greeted at the airport by King Felipe VI and his wife Queen Letizia, then addressed them at the Royal Palace along with politicians and diplomats.
He acknowledged political polarization and called for an end to it in Spain and elsewhere in the West.
"I come among you to affirm, encourage and instill a renewed fidelity to the Gospel among believers, as well as a deeper reconciliation and collaboration among the various elements of this nation," the first American pope said.
