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Madrid reduces the number of stations closed for the Pope's Mass in Cibeles to seven
Madrid will have to look at the Metro map more carefully during Pope Leo XIV's visit. Although as many as 15 stations were initially said to be affected, the Community of Madrid has adjusted its plan and will limit the main Sunday closures to seven stations around Cibeles, coinciding with the large Mass.
The affected stations will be Retiro, Banco de España and Sevilla on line 2; Velázquez, Serrano and Colón on line 4; and Chueca on line 5. They will remain closed from the start of service until 14:00. Trains will run on those lines, but will not stop at those stations while the restriction is in force.
The measure seeks to organise the arrival of attendees at the mass and prevent crowds at the entrances closest to Cibeles. For those planning to move around the centre on Sunday morning, the recommendation is clear: look for alternative stations, walk a little further and check service status before leaving.
Closing stations does not mean the Metro will operate with less capacity. On the contrary, the network will reinforce frequencies during the papal visit, with increases that may reach 125% on the lines with the greatest demand between 6 and 9 June. The aim is to absorb both ordinary journeys and those of pilgrims and visitors.
On the night of 6 to 7 June, the Metro will also extend its hours until 2:30 in the morning to facilitate departures from the youth vigil. That reinforcement will be important for those moving around Plaça de Lima, Nuevos Ministerios and the Castellana corridor, where there will also be closures, checks and traffic changes.
EMT will also form part of the operation. Municipal buses will be free from 3 to 9 June, together with Bicimad, although several lines will be diverted because of traffic closures in Cibeles, Plaça de Lima and other areas linked to the Pope’s schedule. In practice, travelling for free will not prevent some journeys from being slower than usual.
For those who do not need to travel through the centre, the most sensible course will be to avoid it during the critical hours. And for those who work, live or have plans near Cibeles, Recoletos, Retiro or Colón, it is advisable to prepare a plan B. These days it will not be enough to leave at the usual time and trust in the usual station.
Leo XIV’s visit will test something very everyday: Madrid’s capacity to keep functioning when its centre changes its rules for a few hours. There will be more trains, more staff and more buses, but also barriers, stations without stops and closed streets. The key will not only be moving by public transport, but knowing where it is not advisable to move.