Pope Leo XIV called on Saturday for an end to “polarizing narratives” on a visit to Spain that is expected to focus on disruptive the issue of immigration.
“I invite everyone to set aside the divisive and polarizing narratives of your social reality and history, so that you can transcend sterile simplifications through fruitful appreciation of complexity,” he said.
Leo also thanked Spain, whose Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has clashed with US President Donald Trump over Iran and with Israel over the war in Gaza, for “faithful adherence to international law and multilateralism”.
Speaking at the royal palace in Madrid, where he was received by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, he praised Spain’s “active commitment to peace and solidarity between peoples”.
The US-born pontiff himself has been heavily criticized by Trump for his anti-war views.
He said the message of peace “at the moment unfortunately strikes some as naïve and others as confrontational”, but should instead be “welcomed by those who are not locked into preconceived ideologies”.
IN contrast with many of its European allies, Spain under Sanchez’s leftist government has a liberal immigration policy.
But the government is under pressure from the main conservative People’s Party and the anti-immigration Vox, the third political force in the country.
Among those present who stood and applauded Leo’s speech was the leader of Vox Santiago Abascalwho has led virulent criticism of the left-wing government on migration among other issues.
‘open wound’
The seven-day state visit, also set to focus on social justice and inequality, will include an unprecedented speech to the Spanish parliament and a meeting with victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.
Speaking to reporters on the plane before landing in the Spanish capital, Leo said the abuse remained “an open wound”.
About 200,000 minors are estimated to have suffered abuse in Spain since 1940, according to a 2023 report by Spain’s Ombudsman.
King Felipe hailed the Pope’s “clarity and determination” on the issue, saying they were “essential in the process of healing and repairing the damage done”.
Sanchez’s government and the Catholic Church in Spain signed an agreement in March to compensate the victims after years of silence and ambiguity from the church hierarchy.
Later on Saturday, the 70-year-old pope will lead a prayer vigil near Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium, where 400,000 mostly young people are expected.
Leo told reporters on the plane that he was “very pleased by reports” that young people were increasingly interested in the Catholic Church.
“They understand that there is a void and a lack of meaning, and maybe my visit is helping to awaken something further,” he said.
His arrival in Madrid coincides with a series of concerts by Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny, with some observers indicating that the youth is torn between spirituality and music.
“I think many will see Bad Bunny. But I think there will be some here to see the Pope. And that’s saying something,” Leo said of the conflicting loyalties.
Focus on migration
On Sunday, around one million people will attend the Pope’s Mass in downtown Madrid.
Leo will then travel to Barcelona where on Wednesday he will bless the new tower of the Sagrada Familia Basilica – now the tallest church in the world.
In the Canary Islands on Thursday and Friday, Leo will be joined by Sanchez to honor the thousands of migrants who have died trying to reach Europe.
The Canaries – the Spanish islands off the coast of west Africa – have become the main entry point for irregular migrants to Spain after long and dangerous journeys from Africa.
The UN’s International Organization for Migration estimates that 1,172 migrants died or disappeared along the route in 2025 – a figure only slightly lower than the 1,215 people in 2024.
Around 15,000 members of the national police and Guardia Civil are being deployed for the visit, along with local police forces.
Leo’s predecessor, Francis, largely ignored many of Europe’s traditional bastions of Catholicism, where, like Spain, religious observance has declined rapidly.
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