Pope Leo XIV offers a golden rose to the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Almudena, Patroness of Madrid.
In 712, when Muslims invaded and colonised the land, the people of Madrid sealed Our Lady in a wall to protect her.
Over the centuries, Christians did not forget about Our Lady, keeping her memory alive from generation to generation in exile and under Islamic occupation. In 1083, when Madrid was reconquered by King Alfonso VI of Castile, soldiers wanted to find the statue, but they did not know where it was hidden. After days of fervent prayer, the spot in the wall hiding the icon crumbled, and a light shone, revealing the statue, miraculously found to be intact. The statue is still venerated till this day, and the Pope offered a golden rose to the very same.
This was one of the numerous miracles of the Reconquista, demonstrating that Catholicism is the one true religion. Islam was defeated. Christ is Triumphant. Our Lady continues to protect her children. Always