Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Spain, which took place from June 6 to 12, left a deep impression on those who participated in its various events. This is reflected in a study conducted by the consulting firm GAD3 on behalf of the trip’s organizers, which was based on interviews with 5,027 people at the end of the visit; its findings align with those published by the Center for Sociological Research (CIS) in its July 2026 barometer.
An overwhelmingly positive assessment
According to the study, 89% of the participants rated their experience and the outcome of the visit as «positive,» while an additional 9% considered it «very positive,» bringing the overall rating to 98%.
The visit also transformed the attendees’ perception of Pope Leo XIV himself. Before the trip, 90% held a favorable opinion of him, his life story, and his message; after getting to know him up close, that percentage rose to 98%—an increase of eight points. Lack of knowledge about the Pontiff also decreased significantly: while 57% of those surveyed said they knew little about him before the visit, that figure dropped to 14% by the end of the trip.
Spiritual and Emotional Impact
The GAD3 study also delves into the personal and spiritual impact of the Pope’s visit to Spain. Among the goals that attendees set for themselves following the visit, the following stand out: the desire to help make the world a better place (92%), to deepen their personal relationship with God (91%), and to strengthen their commitment to the Church (87%).
On an emotional level, the feelings most commonly reported by participants were joy (99%), enthusiasm (97%), hope (97%), peace (95%), and a sense of connection with others (95%).
The messages that resonated the most
Among the Pope’s messages that resonated most strongly with those in attendance were the importance of prayer and a personal encounter with God (19%) and the call to live out one’s faith with joy and hope (17%). These were followed by the call to serve and help others (13%), fostering dialogue, listening, and reconciliation (12%), and welcoming and integrating migrants and vulnerable people (7%).
As a direct result of these messages, the participants expressed very specific personal resolutions: to live with more hope or joy (45%), to nurture their spiritual lives (41%), and to help others more (30%).
Positive assessment of media coverage and Instagram's prominence
Media coverage of the visit also received positive feedback: 91% of attendees felt that the media coverage accurately reflected—to a large or considerable extent—what they experienced during the various meetings.
As for social media, Instagram was the most widely used platform for following and sharing updates about the visit, with 55% mentions, followed by YouTube (24%) and Facebook (20%). However, 26% of the participants stated that they had neither followed nor shared the trip on social media.
When asked which words best summed up their experience, attendees particularly agreed on five terms: joy, wonderful, unforgettable, love, and Church—a reflection of the emotional and spiritual impact of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Spain.
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