Pope Leo XIV has said he supports Real Madrid as he begins a week-long visit to Spain, his first trip to an EU country outside Italy, where he is expected to draw large crowds and deliver more than 20 speeches on themes including migration, conflict and global division.

Asked on the papal plane whether he backed Real Madrid or Barcelona, he said: "That's easy: the Pope is for all teams, but Robert Prevost is for Real Madrid!” prompting laughter among those present.

The pontiff travelled from Rome to Madrid on Saturday morning, where he was greeted with Vatican and Spanish flags on his aircraft, before meeting King Felipe and Queen Letizia. He is later due to address diplomats and civil leaders, and speak at an event outside Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium.

Speaking to reporters on the flight, Pope Leo said the visit was intended to send a message about human dignity and solidarity, particularly towards migrants. “We can give a very good message ... of charity and respect for every human being,” he said.

The Vatican says the situation faced by migrants is central to the trip. Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See press office, said: “These are people, and their stories must touch us.”

The Pope is expected to meet migrants and organisations supporting them during the visit, including in the Canary Islands, where more than 3,000 people died in 2025 attempting the Atlantic crossing in makeshift boats, according to the NGO Caminando Fronteras.

The six-day visit, which also includes stops in Barcelona, Montserrat Monastery and Tenerife, will see the first American Pope inaugurate a new tower at Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica and meet young people in Madrid.

He is also expected to speak in Spanish for most of the trip, and French when meeting migrants from Francophone Africa.

The Vatican says Pope Leo will use the visit to highlight wars and political polarisation, urging dialogue and respect for human life.