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Pilgrimage of Leo PP. XIV to Montserrat

LEO PP. XIV

“Glad to be at the feet of the Moreneta to entrust to her, full of trust in her maternal intercession, my Petrine service”
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Visita del Papa Lleó XIV a Montserrat

Apostolic Journey of Leo PP. XIV

On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, the Abbey of Montserrat hosted, for only the second time in its more than one thousand years of history, the pilgrimage of one of Saint Peter's successors: Pope Leo XIV.

This visit was carried out within the framework of the Apostolic Journey that the Holy Father made to Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands from June 6 to 12. At Montserrat, he presided over the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, followed by the singing of the Salve and the Virolai by the Escolania de Montserrat, marking the climax of the celebrations for the Millennium of Montserrat and a milestone at the beginning of the abbey's second millennium.

The day was highlighted by the words shared by the Pontiff during his address, where he entrusted his Petrine service and the mission of the Church to Our Lady of Montserrat.

 

"The Moreneta has always accompanied me"

He did so after affirming that "The Moreneta has always accompanied me" a moment in which Leo PP. XIV expressed being "glad to be at the feet of the Moreneta to entrust to her, full of trust in her maternal intercession, my Petrine service and the mission of the Church in a world crying out for justice and peace."

This was preceded by expressions of devotion that had already come to light prior to his trip, with the precedent that during his years in Peru, he had been a promoter and founder of a parish dedicated to Our Lady of Montserrat.

This marks the second visit of a pontiff to the Abbey of Montserrat, following Saint John Paul II, who visited Montserrat in 1982.

The Relationship of Leo XIV with Montserrat

During his time as a missionary in the city of Trujillo (in northern Peru) in the 1990s, Leo XIV was one of the promoters behind the construction of the church of Our Lady of Montserrat, where he served as administrator and pastor of this parish located in the "Monserrate" neighborhood.

As an Augustinian, and having served as superior of this great religious order for over a decade, he shares a deep affinity with monastic life, the Rule of Saint Benedict, and community life. In this context, while still serving as superior of the Augustinians, there is record of him taking a spiritual retreat at Montserrat.

Robert Prevost chose the name Leo, which brings an interesting connection to Montserrat: the last pontiff to choose this name, Leo XIII, was the Pope who declared Our Lady of Montserrat the Patron Saint of Catalonia.

Watch the Video of the Day Featuring the Holy Rosary, the Salve, and the Virolai

More than 7,000 pilgrims joined the Benedictine community of Montserrat in welcoming Holy Father Leo XIV, participating in the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary (as is custom on Wednesdays) and in midday prayer. This featured the singing of the Salve Regina for 8 voices with echoes of Fr. Joan Cererols (1618–1680), as well as the Virolai performed by the Escolania de Montserrat.

Below you can watch the broadcast of the day's events.