The event ‘Tejer Redes’ has kicked off this Sunday at the Movistar Arena in Madrid with part of the capacity still not filled and awaiting the arrival of Pope León XIV, who is scheduled to deliver a speech during the meeting.
The event is part of the Pope's social agenda during his visit to Madrid and brings together representatives from the worlds of culture, art, economy, sports, and civil society.
Empty seats on the floor
In the first few minutes of the event,numerous empty seats on the floor could be seen, especially in the front rows, which presented a mixed image of the venue.
The event had been conceived as one of León XIV's major meetings with different sectors of Spanish society, following the large Mass celebrated in the morning in Plaza de Cibeles.
Spanish bishops in the front row
The Spanish bishops occupied the front rows of the Movistar Arena to listen to the personalities summoned to the meeting.
A line of prelates dressed in black with purple sashes entered the venue before the Pope's arrival. Some stood up to greet or hug familiar faithful, while others checked their mobile phones before the start of the main address.
Among them was the Archbishop of Barcelona, Juan José Omella, who will welcome León XIV in the Catalan capital in two days, when the Pope continues his apostolic journey through Spain.
Presence of authorities and personalities
Among the authorities and personalities present is the general secretary of UGT, Pepe Álvarez, as well as other guests from the social, cultural, business, and sports spheres.
The meeting seeks to strengthen dialogue between the Church and different sectors of contemporary society, on a day that has combined large religious events with spaces for institutional and civil dialogue.
Awaiting León XIV's speech
León XIV's arrival at the Movistar Arena is scheduled for later. His address will be one of the central moments of the event, and he is expected to maintain the line of his messages during the visit: dialogue, the common good, human dignity, and social commitment.
The event is taking place on the second day of the Pope's trip to Spain, after the Corpus Christi Mass in Cibeles and before the institutional agenda on Monday, which will include his speech to the Congress of Deputies.