One week before the arrival of Pope Leo XIV in Barcelona, some balconies are already displaying Vatican City flags, most of them distributed by the Ginesta de la Guineueta Association, which has delivered over 15,000 to parishioners through parishes and has sold out its stock. In early March, shortly after the Holy See announced that Leo XIV would visit Barcelona, members of the Ginesta Association organized to promote an action that would "give repercussions" to the pontiff's visit. Following the "Catalan tradition" of decorating balconies with flags on special occasions, they decided to fill the city with the Vatican City flag.
Visit of the Pope: Catalonia and the Canary Islands will pay 20% of the cost and Madrid will only cede spaces
The visit of Leo XIV to the State will cost 25 million euros
02/06/2026
2 min
BarcelonaPope Leo XIV's visit to the State will cost 25 million euros, but not all territories will contribute the same amount. This Tuesday, trip officials explained that Catalonia and the Canary Islands will pay 20% of the visit's cost, while Madrid will only provide venues and services. The trip's deputy general coordinator, Fernando Giménez Barriocanal, acknowledged that a "very significant" investment of resources has been made, which has been possible thanks to the collaboration of different administrations and private "benefactors".
Regarding Catalonia, government sources detail that the Generalitat will invest 1.6 million euros in the pontiff's visit next week. They also explain that this contribution will be made through an agreement signed with the Archdiocese of Barcelona and that the funds will come entirely from the tourist tax. "It will not cost Barcelona taxpayers a single euro," the same sources defend.
In contrast, municipal sources in Barcelona explain that, given the scale of the event, the Barcelona City Council has promoted a collaboration agreement with the Archdiocese of Barcelona and the Generalitat of Catalonia to regulate the institutional co-organization of the event. However, the same sources defend that this agreement "does not foresee any direct or nominative financial contribution" and that it "only regulates the coverage of indirect and operational costs derived from a major event". Although they do not provide a specific investment figure, they explain that these "costs" are those derived from the municipal services "necessary for the development of the visit", such as security by the Guardia Urbana or cleaning services. A cost that the council has not yet quantified. Apart from this, the cost of the free cession of the Stadium for the pontiff's event is contemplated: €78,000.
Madrid makes no direct contributions
Asked about the amount of money Madrid has contributed, Giménez Barriocanal highlighted that the Spanish government and the regional administration have opted not to make direct contributions to the visit of Leo XIV, and have instead opted for other contributions in the form of spaces or services. “It is something very valuable,” defended the deputy general coordinator of the trip, adding that they are “very happy” and have “no complaints.” “In Catalonia and the Canary Islands they have wanted to arrange it in another way, and that also seems phenomenal to us,” he assured.
Beyond the contribution of each autonomous community, the organization indicates that 45% of the visit's budget will be paid by private companies and foundations, among which are BBVA, Iberdrola, Indra, ACS, Telefónica, Banco Santander, Banc Sabadell, and Endesa. There is also 30% of money coming from the dioceses' own resources and from the Episcopal Conference, with money from parishioners. In the case of the Episcopal Conference, it is expected to assume an expense of 1.4 million euros. Finally, 5% of the budget for the Pope's trip to the State has been obtained through direct donations to the visit.
15,000 Vatican flags sold out
