Pope starts Spain visit

Pope Leo XIV departed for Spain on Saturday.

During the 7-day Apostolic visit, he is expected to double down on his messages of unity amid polarisation.

The Vatican has also confirmed that Leo would meet with survivors of clergy sexual abuse cases.

The Spanish Catholic hierarchy is belatedly reckoning with decades of abuse and cover-up.

Leo's visit is the first to Spain by a pope in 15 years.

He will start his trip in Madrid, and will travel later to Barcelona and the Canary Islands.