A visit more than expected - The Pope travels to Santiago de Compostela

Pope Francis could visit Santiago de Compostela in 2022, on the occasion of the Extraordinary Holy Year. It would be his first official visit to the city, and it is expected to coincide with the European Youth Pilgrimage in August. This visit would be a great boost for tourism and commerce in Galicia.

We have a Pope! Indeed, it seems that there will be white smoke, as next Holy Year 2022 is expected to see Pope Francis visit Santiago de Compostela, on the occasion of this Extraordinary Holy Year that he himself extended due to the pandemic. A highly anticipated visit by the Xunta de Galicia and the ecclesiastical authorities of Compostela, which, pending official confirmation from the Vatican, will be a boost for the tourism and commerce of the city.

The latest visits

If confirmed, this will be the fourth visit of a pontiff to Santiago de Compostela in four decades. The first, in 1982, on the occasion of the Holy Year, featured Pope John Paul II, who returned in 1989 for the World Youth Day. Then in 2010 it was Benedict XVI who visited Santiago de Compostela, on the occasion of the ordinary Holy Year.

Finally, it is Pope Francis's turn, a much-anticipated visit, as this pontiff has yet to make any official visit to Santiago de Compostela, although he has granted two Extraordinary Holy Years, in 2016 and in the upcoming 2022.

A "worked on" visit

At the beginning of the year, the archbishop of Santiago de Compostela, Julián Barro, conveyed to the Supreme Pontiff an official invitation to set foot on Compostela lands during this Holy Year. Subsequently, in June, the president of the Xunta de Galicia, Alberto Núñez Feijoo, again invited Pope Francis to come to Santiago de Compostela. On this occasion, the Pope responded, stating that he would think about it.

Last September, in an interview for Spanish media, the Holy Father confirmed that he still has this visit in mind and does not rule it out. However, he specifies that it will be a brief exclusive visit to Santiago de Compostela to commemorate the Holy Year and not an official long-duration visit to Spain, as the good Francisco insists on his priority to visit "small countries".

In recent days, Spanish media reports an almost certain confirmation of this visit from the Vatican, although we still have to wait for a public and official communication, depending on the evolution of the pandemic and the health status of Pope Francis, who will turn 85 next December 17.

The Dates

For this visit, the days being considered are Sunday, August 7 or Monday, August 8, 2022, when the European Youth Pilgrimage will take place, although the ecclesiastical and civil authorities of Santiago de Compostela and Galicia prefer that this visit coincide with the day of the Apostle, July 25. In fact, they announce that they will insist on this possibility, which would be a golden closure for the great festival of Galicia and Spain.

"It is undoubtedly a joy and a source of hope for the Galician people, for Galicia and also for the Spaniards"

Thus, Alberto Núñez Feijoo expresses himself regarding this visit that is taking shape. The power of attraction that a papal visit implies can be a catalyst for tourism and commerce not only in the city of Santiago de Compostela itself but for all of Galicia and, of course, for the Camino de Santiago itself.

Also, the president of the Galician Federation of Commerce, José María Seijas, expresses himself in this regard and states that "there is no doubt that everything that means attracting people, attracting tourism, creates a synergy that positively influences commerce". While the Camino de Santiago and the entire economy surrounding it are recovering from the pandemic, this visit would be a huge boost.

"People from all over the country will come, and it will be a catalyst for Santiago and for Galicia"

In turn, this is how Cesáreo Pardal, head of the Tourism Cluster of Galicia, expresses himself, who also points out that this visit will be beneficial "not only for the community but for all of Spain".

We must stay tuned for news, awaiting an official confirmation from the Holy See, as well as a clarification on the dates. It would be great news for Galicia and also for our beloved pilgrim community. If confirmed, we will surely see many pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago on the definitive dates of the visit. Holy Year, visit from the Pope, Xacobeo,… what more do you need to grab your backpack and pilgrimage to Compostela? If you haven't done it yet, perhaps the next Holy Year 2022 is a good time to take a look at the Map of the French Way and enjoy the magic of the Camino de Santiago. And if you are from Portugal, don't miss the Stages of the Camino de Santiago from Tui.