It’s the end of another month and ThemSelfie time again!

I post a ThemSelfie from somewhere on my travels on the last day of every month. Do feel free to join in by adding your link as a comment – the more the merrier.

Themselfie with Pope Saint John Paul II outside Almudena Cathedral, Madrid

It may be hard to believe that until relatively recently, Madrid did not have a cathedral.

When the capital of Spain was transferred from Toledo to Madrid in 1561, the seat of the Church in Spain remained in Toledo and the new capital had no cathedral.  Plans to build a cathedral were discussed for decades, nay centuries, but there was opposition from Toledo and the cost of running and expanding a large empire took precedence.

Construction eventually began in 1883, but progress was slow and it was put on hold throughout the Civil War, not resuming until 1944.  Finally, in 1993, it was ready and was consecrated in person by Pope John Paul II, whose statue stands outside to commemorate this momentous and long-awaited occasion.

I don’t know if this guy appreciated the significance of the statue but he is certainly looking proud to be with the now beatified Pope.

Linked to Outdoor Wednesday.