Will the Pope Visit Santiago de Compostela?
Inscription at the entrance to the Tomb of the Apostle Santiago
The Last Papal Visits to Santiago de Compostela
Santiago has welcomed three popes in recent history. The first was in 1982, when John Paul II visited for the Holy Jacobean Year. It was a deeply emotional moment, and he even spoke in Galician—a touching gesture for the locals. He returned in 1989 for the World Youth Day and, on that occasion, walked the final stretch of the Camino to the Cathedral, just like any other pilgrim. Later, in 2010, it was Benedict XVI’s turn. He also came during a Holy Year and, although his visit was brief, it was highly symbolic. He entered through the Holy Door, prayed at the Apostle’s tomb, and celebrated a large mass in Obradoiro Square.
Commemorative plaque of the visits of John Paul II and Benedict XVI in Santiago Cathedral
The Absence of Pope Francis in Santiago
Pope Francis never visited Santiago de Compostela or Spain during his pontificate. While his predecessors did, he chose to prioritise visits to smaller or developing countries. Several opportunities arose over the years, such as the Franciscan Year in 2015, the Holy Year of Mercy in 2016, or the extension of the Holy Year to 2022, which generated great anticipation. There were efforts and invitations from all major institutions — the Government, Xunta de Galicia, the Archbishopric, and the Spanish Episcopal Conference — and even specific dates were considered for summer 2022. However, the visit never materialised, and his death in 2025 definitively closed that chapter. Since the Holy Jacobean Year of 2010, there have been no more papal visits to Santiago… but who knows, perhaps the new Pope will resume this beautiful tradition.
Opening of the Holy Door of Santiago Cathedral – a very special moment during a Holy Year
The confirmed visit of Pope Leo XIV to Spain in June 2026
Although he will not be travelling specifically to Santiago de Compostela, Pope Leo XIV has officially confirmed an apostolic visit to Spain from 6 to 12 June 2026, marking the first papal trip to the country in 15 years, since Benedict XVI’s last visit. During this journey, which forms part of his international agenda, the Pope will visit cities such as Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands, where institutional meetings, liturgical acts and large public celebrations will take place, including events linked to the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death and the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus at the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. This visit represents a moment of great spiritual and social significance for the Church in Spain, even though his itinerary will not include Santiago.
Pope Leo XIV’s Possible Visit During the Holy Jacobean Year 2027
Archbishop Francisco Prieto of Santiago de Compostela has already announced that he will extend a formal invitation to the new Pope, Leo XIV, to visit the city. However, depending on the type of visit, the procedure varies. If it is a state visit, the approval of the Spanish Government is required, along with official invitations from the King, the Prime Minister, and the Episcopal Conference. Naturally, these institutions will support and promote the visit, given its significance. But there is also the possibility that the Pope might come as a pilgrim — something far more symbolic and deeply connected to the spirit of the Camino. The Archbishop has mentioned that Robert Francis Prevost previously visited Santiago, and that seeing him return as Pope would be deeply moving, especially with the upcoming Holy Jacobean Year of 2027 on the horizon.
Santiago de Compostela becomes the heart of Christendom during Holy Year and a papal visit
Tomb of the Apostle Santiago, the focus of the Pope’s visit to Santiago and the goal of all pilgrims
Reviews from our pilgrims
Our customers recommend us on Google and encourage us to keep going in the right direction.