Pope Leo XIV Urges Spain to Reject Polarization on 7-Day Visit

3 articles · Updated · Vatican News - English · Jun 6

At Madrid’s Royal Palace, Pope Leo XIV told Spanish authorities and diplomats he came to renew fidelity to the Gospel while pressing for deeper reconciliation and collaboration across the country.
Spain’s stability and prosperity depend on a culture of encounter, he said, urging leaders to harmonize autonomy and unity, include the poor and young in national planning, and advance European unity.
Religious freedom and freedom of conscience must be protected, Leo said, warning that polarization, dignity violations and new technologies are magnifying prejudice, weakening critical thinking and spreading destructive interests.
A qualitative leap in investment in schools, universities, research, local communities and civil society is needed, he said, arguing security comes less from weapons and walls than from growing together.
During the week-long trip, Leo also praised Spain’s commitment to peace, multilateralism and international law, and called for peaceful coexistence and interreligious dialogue in a nation shaped by nearly 2,000 years of Christianity.