Pope Leo XIV has called on political leaders to pursue unity rather than division for political advantage, emphasising the need to strive for peace during the opening speech of his tour in Spain. The pontiff urged leaders to reject polarising narratives and work towards societal cohesion.
Focus on the Marginalised
The pope has centred his visit on the marginalised, making it his first tour of an EU country outside Italy. His itinerary includes meeting homeless people in Madrid and migrants in the Canary Islands. Leo, who has previously clashed with US President Donald Trump over immigration policies and the war with Iran, stated that his visit aims to exemplify respect for "every human being."
Addressing Clerical Abuse
Leo is also scheduled to meet survivors of sexual abuse by clergy in the Spanish Catholic Church, an institution that is only now confronting its history of covering up abuse. He acknowledged that "abuses are still an open wound" and plans to meet a few survivors.
Thousands of people gathered on the streets of Madrid to greet the pope as he toured the city in the popemobile. This marks the first papal visit to Spain since 2011. Recent years have seen a resurgence in the number of young Spaniards identifying as Catholic, with 28.8% of young people doing so in 2025, compared to 17.6% in 2010.
Speeches and Themes
During his tour, the pope is scheduled to deliver 20 speeches emphasising empathy for migrants, anti-demagoguery, and acknowledging what Leo described as a world crying "from its depths for peace." In a speech attended by King Felipe VI at the royal palace in Madrid, Leo stated: "Today, the temptation to gain popularity by fanning the flames of polarisation seems to have grown rather than diminished, and human dignity continues to be violated. I invite everyone to set aside the divisive and polarising narratives of your societal reality and history so as to overcome sterile simplifications through the fruitful appreciation of complexity."
He suggested that technology and social media are deepening divisions and preventing societal introspection. Leo recently released a letter focusing on the dangers of artificial intelligence, warning that humanity is at a moral crossroads as AI technology advances rapidly.
Historical Context
He pointed to Spain as a country with a history of coexistence among different religions, referencing how Christians, Muslims, and Jews lived together peacefully in medieval times and cooperated in their respective languages to advance knowledge. "Your own history suggests that a culture of encounter, not confrontation, is what fosters stability and prosperity. In reality, the message of peace, which at present, unfortunately, strikes some as naive and others as confrontational, is welcomed by those who do not shut themselves off in preconceived ideologies, but are rather open to the truth," he said.
Spanish Policies and Contrasts
Spain, under socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has launched a mass amnesty programme providing about half a million immigrants with a pathway to legal residency. This contrasts with much of Europe and the wider Western world, where xenophobia and anti-migration policies have risen in recent years.
In addition to meeting migrants in the Canary Islands, Leo will meet survivors of clerical sexual abuse. Spain's human rights ombudsman estimated in a 2023 report that there were hundreds of thousands of abuse survivors over past decades.
King Felipe told Leo, in an apparent reference to a recently launched church-state reparations system for some survivors: "Your clarity and firmness, which I also wish to acknowledge, are essential in the process of healing and repairing the harm inflicted. They are essential for the victims, for the faithful, for the church, and for society."
Light-Hearted Moment
The Spanish church also suggested that the pope might meet Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny, who is in the middle of a 10-date run of performances in Madrid. Leo joked that he faced an uphill battle competing with the pop star for young people's interest. "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 said on his flight from Rome, before adding: "But I think there will also be a few here to see the pope."
