Pope Leo XIV has called on Spain to abandon divisive and polarising narratives and to stop seeing others as enemies, during a meeting with the royal family and the country’s authorities at the Royal Palace in Madrid.
The welcome
King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía received the Pope on Saturday morning. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the President of Congress, Francina Armengol, who is from Mallorca, were also present.
His message
It was Pope Leo XIV’s first visit to Spain since his election in 2025. He said he had come to encourage deeper reconciliation and cooperation between the country’s different forces, and urged Spaniards to move away from narratives that divide people and treat others as enemies because of their identity.
Key points of his speech
Encounter rather than confrontation. The Pope said his own experience had taught him that a culture of encounter and listening, rather than of confrontation, creates stability and prosperity.
Peace and multilateralism. He thanked Spain for its commitment to international law and multilateralism, and encouraged it to continue building dialogue and friendship within its borders too.
The young and the poor. He asked leaders to take into account the views of young people and those living in poverty when planning the country’s future, and spoke of balancing regional autonomy with national unity.
The King’s response
King Felipe praised the Catholic Church’s extensive social work in Spain. He acknowledged the seriousness of the pain caused by abuse within the Church, while stressing that it does not represent the whole Church, and praised the Pope’s clear and firm stance on dealing with abuse as essential for healing and reparation.
Why it matters
The Pope’s call for reconciliation came at a time of intense political polarisation in Spain, and his words were interpreted by many as a message to all political parties. Leo XIV, the first pope born in the United States, has made dialogue and unity central themes of his papacy.
The visit, which included religious ceremonies and meetings in several cities, drew large crowds and was followed closely in the Balearics, where the Church plays an important role in social services through organisations such as Càritas.
