Pope Leo XIV embarked on a significant week-long tour of Spain, urging global leaders to cease dividing their electorates with “sterile simplifications” and instead foster peace and respect for human dignity. Meeting with migrants and over 600,000 young people, the Pontiff condemned rising polarization and advocated for a culture of encounter, drawing on Spain’s historical example of interfaith cooperation. His visit, which includes stops in Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands, aims to promote inclusivity and support for marginalized communities, notably migrants.
In a powerful address from Madrid, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday implored global leaders to abandon divisive rhetoric and "sterile simplifications" that fuel polarization, calling instead for a renewed commitment to peace and human dignity. Kicking off a week-long tour of Spain, the Pontiff’s message resonated deeply as he engaged with migrants and an estimated 600,000 young people.
Pope Leo, who has previously voiced criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump's anti-immigration policies and the war in Iran, commenced his five-stop Spanish visit by touring a Church-run shelter for the homeless in Madrid. He is also scheduled to meet with migrant communities in the Canary Islands.
Before arriving in Spain, the Pope expressed his hope that the tour would serve as a global exemplar for respecting "every human being." In a speech delivered to King Felipe VI at the Royal Palace in Madrid, Leo asserted, "Today, the temptation to gain popularity by fanning the flames of polarization seems to have grown rather than diminished, and human dignity continues to be violated."
He further urged, "I invite everyone to set aside the divisive and polarizing narratives of your societal reality and history, so as to overcome sterile simplifications through the fruitful appreciation of complexity." Pope Leo suggested that technology bears some responsibility for creating an environment that amplifies prejudices and weakens critical thinking.
Drawing inspiration from Spain's rich history, he highlighted its legacy of peaceful coexistence among diverse religions and cultures. The Pontiff specifically cited the medieval era in Toledo, where Christians, Muslims, and Jews collaborated at the School of Translators, advancing human knowledge by translating Arabic texts into Latin, Spanish, and Hebrew. "Your own history suggests that a culture of encounter, not confrontation, is what fosters stability and prosperity," he concluded.
Huge crowds expected
Hundreds of thousands lined the streets of central Madrid, eager to witness the first papal visit to Spain since 2011. Many waved Vatican and Spanish flags, holding up infants for blessings as Leo traversed the city in an open-air popemobile, again seen making the "6-7" hand gesture popular among young people.
A 2025 survey by Fundacion SM revealed a significant surge in interest in Catholicism among Spanish youth, with 28.8% identifying as practicing Catholics in 2025, a notable increase from 17.6% in 2020. "When I see the pope doing the '6-7', it feels familiar. I think there will be more and more Catholics because of him," shared 15-year-old Perla Garcia, awaiting Leo at a vigil.
Later in the afternoon, Leo visited a homeless shelter, where he listened to the personal stories of migrants who had received assistance in settling into Madrid. In stark contrast to the policies of many leading Western nations, including the United States under Trump, Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government has initiated a mass amnesty program, potentially granting legal status to an estimated 500,000 immigrants.
Senegalese migrant Khadry, who presented the Pope with a replica of his Spanish residency card, recounted his initial feelings of being lost and alone upon arriving in Spain. "I had left everything behind and didn't know where to start. Today I have a job, I've sorted out my immigration status, and I want to support others who arrive here just as I did," he stated.
Competing with Bad Bunny
The Pope's visit to the Spanish capital surprisingly coincided with concerts by Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny, and local church officials have hinted at a possible meeting between the two during the Pope's stay in Madrid.
As Bad Bunny performed at football club Atletico Madrid's Metropolitano stadium, Pope Leo presided over a vigil attended by approximately 600,000 young people outside the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, home to bitter rival Real Madrid. Addressing the immense gathering, he proclaimed, "In the face of the emptiness of indifference and compliance, before the violence of war and lies, you must be the sparks of a new humanity."
On his flight from Rome, Leo lightheartedly joked about competing with Bad Bunny for the attention of young people. "If they were confronted with the question: do they want to see Bad Bunny or do they want to see the pope, I think many will go to see Bad Bunny," he mused, before adding, "But I think there will also be a few here to see the pope."
Pope Leo is slated to deliver over 20 speeches during his inaugural trip to a European Union country outside Italy and will make history as the first pope to address the Spanish parliament. During his June 6-12 itinerary, the first U.S. head of the Catholic Church will also inaugurate a new tower in Barcelona's renowned Sagrada Familia basilica. Additionally, he is scheduled to meet survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, with further details to be provided after the meeting, according to the Vatican.
However, some victims have voiced concerns about being excluded from this meeting, calling for Leo to engage with them in a "truly inclusive" manner. They also demand reparations that include legal recognition for victims, lifelong psychological care, and adequate compensation. "We don't want a photo with the pope: we want rights and reparations for all the victims," a collective of victim groups stated.
A 2023 report by Spain's human rights ombudsman estimated that hundreds of thousands of individuals have been victims of clergy abuse in Spain over decades, reflecting similar scandals that have shaken the Church globally.
