A Meeting Full of Symbolism
This Saturday, Pope Leo XIV visited the 24-hour care centre CEDIA, managed by Caritas Madrid, in the Lucero neighbourhood, where an emotional meeting took place with users and volunteers. During his visit, the Pontiff received several gifts that reflect the life stories and triumphs of the migrants welcomed by this centre.
One of the standout moments was the presentation of a residency card by Khadri, a Senegalese immigrant. This gesture was interpreted by Leo XIV as a sacred symbol that tells a story marked by effort and dedication. “Holy Father. Thank you for listening to migrant people,” Khadri expressed during the ceremony. His personal story is moving: he arrived in Spain during the pandemic and found support from those who welcomed him.
Not only did Khadri surprise the Pope with his gift; Niurka, a mother who arrived without knowing she was pregnant, presented him with a ribbon bearing the names of her twins, symbolising the joy that each new birth brings to the world. Additionally, Alicia, a volunteer committed to helping women victims of trafficking, offered sandals that evoke the need for respect towards all human existence.
In his speech to those present, Leo XIV expressed gratitude for the warm welcome he received in Madrid. “Whoever is in Madrid is from Madrid,” he stated enthusiastically. The Holy Father described the CEDIA project as a “miracle of love”, where no one is left helpless and where every act of solidarity becomes a fraternal encounter.
Taking advantage of his presence at this significant event, the Pope called on everyone to look “into the eyes” of those who suffer and to transform social assistance into a human experience filled with compassion. He also lamented how some attitudes towards charity are despised or ridiculed due to political or economic ideologies that foster injustices.
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