Pope Leo XIV warns Spains Congress: "Weapons do not build lasting peace"
Pope Leo XIV on Monday delivered a historic address to Spain’s Congress in Madrid, marking the first papal speech to the Cortes Generales in 30 years, as his six-day apostolic visit to Spain entered its second day. The 30-minute address, which drew a 10-minute standing ovation, focused on the dangers of political polarisation and Europe’s militarisation, while also addressing migration and social justice. Speaking before lawmakers from across the political spectrum, Leo XIV warned that “weapons do not build lasting peace” , a message that resonated particularly with left-wing and centrist deputies.
The pontiff’s visit coincides with deep political divisions in Spain, where Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s left-wing government faces sustained opposition from conservative parties. Sánchez, an atheist, met with Leo XIV on Monday morning, with both leaders framed by international observers as an unlikely alliance against U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies . Sánchez’s office described the meeting as “constructive,” though no joint statement was issued.
Leo XIV also held a contentious closed-door session with six survivors of clerical sexual abuse in Spain, a meeting criticised by some victim advocates as insufficient. The pontiff pledged to take further steps to make the Church a “safe place” and to consider the survivors’ proposals, but organisers not invited to the meeting dismissed it as a public relations effort . The Vatican later reiterated its commitment to transparency and compensation for victims .
The papal visit has been a media spectacle, from the pontiff’s arrival at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium—where Real Madrid capitalised by selling jerseys bearing his name for €195 —to a truncated motorcade through Madrid’s streets due to security and logistical constraints. Residents in the Arganzuela district expressed frustration after their planned viewing of the *papamóvil* was cancelled .
As Leo XIV travels to Barcelona and the Canary Islands, his calls for European solidarity on migration and disarmament are expected to further strain relations with hawkish governments. Meanwhile, Sánchez’s government appears to be leveraging the visit to bolster its progressive credentials ahead of upcoming elections. The pontiff’s message of reconciliation, however, has already left a polarised parliament divided between thunderous applause and sceptical silence.