Madrid faces this Monday, June 8, a particularly delicate day due to the visit of Pope Leo XIV. Unlike the weekend, the Pontiff's movements will coincide with work traffic, entry into offices, schools, deliveries, public transport during rush hour, and ordinary activity in several districts of the capital.
After a weekend marked by massive events in Plaza de Lima, Cibeles, and the Movistar Arena, the papal visit moves this Monday to institutional and religious sites spread across several districts: Chamartín, Centro, Ciudad Lineal, and the area around the Santiago Bernabéu.
The main recommendation is clear: avoid private cars in the center and on the northern axis of Madrid, check traffic conditions before leaving, and allow more time than usual, especially in the afternoon, when the two most sensitive popemobile routes are scheduled.
First working day of the Pope's visit
Monday's schedule changes the type of problem. It is no longer just about large weekend gatherings, but about a city functioning at full capacity while a papal entourage moves through various strategic points.
This affects workers entering or leaving offices, delivery drivers, taxis, VTCs, buses, schools, public services, and residents living near the routes.
Closures may be temporary, but coinciding with a working day can have a greater impact than during the weekend. The City Council recommends planning travel and using public transport whenever possible.
Where the Pope will be this Monday in Madrid
The Pope will begin the day at the Apostolic Nunciature, located on Avenida de Pío XII, in Chamartín. There he is scheduled to receive the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez.
He will then travel to the Congress of Deputies, on Carrera de San Jerónimo, where he will hold a meeting with Spanish parliamentarians.
Mid-morning he will visit the headquarters of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, on Calle Añastro, in Ciudad Lineal, where he will meet with the bishops.
In the afternoon, the focus will shift to the historic center and the north of the city: first to the Almudena Cathedral, on Calle Bailén, and then to the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, on Paseo de la Castellana.
Areas to avoid in the morning
During the morning, the most sensitive areas will be Chamartín, the surroundings of Pío XII avenue, Carrera de San Jerónimo, the area of the Congress of Deputies and Añastro street, next to the headquarters of the Episcopal Conference.
A large public tour in the popemobile is not planned for the morning, but official movements may require occasional traffic diversions as the procession passes.
Those who work or have appointments in the center should avoid moving by car through Carrera de San Jerónimo, Plaza de las Cortes, Neptuno, Alcalá, Cibeles and axes near the Congress during the mid-morning period.
The afternoon concentrates the most important diversions
The most attention for mobility will be in the afternoon. At 6:00 PM, the event at the Almudena Cathedral is scheduled, and at 7:00 PM, the meeting at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
These two movements do include tours in the popemobile and may cause street closures approximately one hour before the procession passes, with room for change depending on security and public attendance.
The first tour of the afternoon will take the Pope from Glorieta de Pirámides to the Almudena. The second will be the longest journey of the visit in Madrid: from the area of the Cathedral to the Bernabéu.
Route to the Almudena
The first public route planned for this Monday afternoon starts at Glorieta de Pirámides and heads towards the Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena.
The affected streets and areas will be:
- Glorieta de Pirámides
- Puerta de Toledo
- Gran Vía de San Francisco
- Calle Bailén
- Royal Palace
- Almudena Cathedral
This route may affect mobility in Arganzuela, La Latina, Palacio and the surroundings of Madrid Río, as well as access to the historic center from the south.
Route from the Almudena to the Bernabéu
After the event at the Cathedral, the Pope will again travel by popemobile towards the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
The planned itinerary crosses some of the busiest points in the center and the east-north axis of Madrid:
- Calle Bailén
- Calle Mayor
- Puerta del Sol
- Carrera de San Jerónimo
- Plaza de las Cortes
- Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo
- Calle Felipe IV
- Calle Alfonso XII
- Plaza de la Independencia
- Calle Alcalá
- Calle Príncipe de Vergara
- Calle Concha Espina
- Plaza de los Sagrados Corazones
- Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
This will be the most delicate displacement of the day because it crosses very central areas and ends in an environment already complex in itself due to the Bernabéu, Castellana, Concha Espina, and Nuevos Ministerios.
Streets and neighborhoods to avoid
During the afternoon, it is advisable to avoid driving through Pirámides, Puerta de Toledo, Gran Vía de San Francisco, Bailén, Mayor, Sol, Carrera de San Jerónimo, Neptuno, Alfonso XII, Alcalá, Príncipe de Vergara, Concha Espina, and the area around the Bernabéu.
Nearby areas such as La Latina, Palacio, Cortes, Retiro, Recoletos, Salamanca, Chamartín, and the Castellana axis may also be affected.
Although not all closures will be permanent, the passage of the procession may cause traffic jams, diversions, and temporary traffic stops. The practical recommendation is not to drive through the center in the afternoon.
Which bus lines may be affected
The EMT anticipates disruptions this Monday on several lines due to the afternoon events.
- In the vicinity of the Almudena, lines 3, 148, and M3 may be affected.
- In the vicinity of the Santiago Bernabéu, lines 5, 14, 27, 40, 43, 120, 126, 147, 150, and S10 may experience changes.
Furthermore, diversions may be extended if security requires it or if the influx of people increases. Before leaving, it is advisable to consult the updated information from the EMT.
M-30, Castellana, and access to the north
On Monday, there may also be disruptions on the M-30 due to the procession's movements. The recommendation is to avoid time-sensitive journeys on the access routes to the center and the north of the city.
The Castellana axis, Nuevos Ministerios, Cuzco, Concha Espina, and Bernabéu will be particularly sensitive in the late afternoon.
Those leaving work in that area should consider alternative routes or delay their commute if it is not urgent.
How to get around Madrid this Monday
The best option will be to use the Metro and Cercanías (commuter rail), avoiding the stations and exits closest to the exact location of the events if there is a large crowd.
It is also advisable to walk from slightly further away stations to avoid relying on access points that are saturated or temporarily closed.
The EMT and Bicimad (bike-sharing service) maintain free travel during the visit, although buses may experience diversions in the affected areas. Therefore, Metro and Cercanías will often be the most reliable option for crossing the city.
Recommendations for workers and residents
Those who work in Centro, Retiro, Salamanca, Chamartín, or Ciudad Lineal should check their route before leaving.
If possible, it is advisable to advance or delay travel to avoid the procession's passage corridors. In companies with organizational flexibility, teleworking or flexible hours can reduce problems on the first working day of the visit.
Residents along the routes should anticipate temporary restrictions on garage access, street closures, and police presence at points closest to the popemobile's passage.