Pope Leo XIV urges global leaders to heed humanitys cry for peace during Spain visit
Pope Leo XIV on Saturday launched a seven-day apostolic visit to Spain with a sweeping call to global leaders to heed humanity’s “cry from the depths” for peace and to resist the political polarisation that is fracturing electorates worldwide. Speaking at Madrid’s Royal Palace in the presence of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, the pontiff warned that the world’s divisions risked drowning out the urgent pleas for solidarity and reconciliation echoing across continents.
The first day of the tour, which will also take in Barcelona and the Canary Islands, saw half a million young people gather in Plaza de Lima for an evening prayer vigil. “Be the spark of a new humanity,” Leo told the crowd, urging them to reject indifference and conformism. “Be human—real men and women of flesh and blood, not faceless appearances.” Earlier, at a reception hosted by the Spanish monarchy, the Pope praised Spain’s “constant commitment to peace,” singling out Madrid’s opposition to conflicts in Gaza, Iran and Ukraine and its support for migrants.
The scale of the welcome contrasted with a rare note of dissent: the president of El Hierro, Alpidio Armas, announced he would boycott the papal reception in Tenerife, complaining that his island—one of the main entry points for irregular migration in Europe—had been overlooked. El Hierro received more than 14,900 migrants in 2023, including 3,654 minors, and holds the record for the largest cayuco landing, with 320 people on a single vessel.
Leo’s itinerary also included a visit to a Caritas centre in the Madrid district of Latina, where he defended the dignity of the homeless and criticised those who “ridicule charity.” In a lighter moment, the Pope joined a viral social-media trend by flashing the “six-seven” hand gesture from his popemobile, drawing cheers from the crowd. The Spanish press noted the unusual spectacle of the 82-year-old pontiff competing for public attention with global pop star Bad Bunny, who is performing in Madrid the same weekend.
Archbishop Cobo of Madrid welcomed the Pope with a message centred on youth and hope, while the royal family’s attire—Queen Letizia in white, Princesses Leonor and Sofia in black—sparked protocol commentary. The visit, the first papal trip outside Italy since Leo’s election in 2024, underscores the Vatican’s focus on Europe’s role in promoting peace and social cohesion amid rising populism and war.
Pope Leo XIV urges global leaders to heed humanitys cry for peace during Spain visit
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