Pope Leo XIV calls for end to polarization during first papal visit to Spain in 15 years

On his first papal visit to Spain in 15 years, Pope Leo XIV urged leaders to reject political polarization, which he blamed on technology. During the week-long tour, the Pope will address Spain's Parliament for the first time, meet with survivors of clergy sexual abuse—an issue he called an 'open wound'—and visit migrants in the Canary Islands, highlighting his pro-immigration stance that has put him at odds with U.S. President Trump.

Pope Leo XIV's Spain visit

• ▪The Pope's schedule includes blessing a new tower at the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona
• ▪Pope Leo XIV is conducting a week-long visit to Spain, the first papal visit to the country since 2011
• ▪The Pope's tour includes stops in Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands
• ▪Upon arriving in Madrid on June 6, 2026, Pope Leo XIV was greeted by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia

Political polarization in Spain

• ▪The Pope referenced Spain's history of coexistence between Christians, Muslims, and Jews as a model for a "culture of encounter."
• ▪Pope Leo XIV attributed growing polarization in part to technology and social media, which he said magnify prejudices and weaken critical thinking
• ▪The Pope's visit occurs as Spain faces political divisions over immigration, feminism, and corruption scandals affecting the government
• ▪In a speech at the Royal Palace in Madrid, Pope Leo XIV urged leaders to reject divisive and polarizing narratives used to gain popularity

Spanish Parliament address

• ▪The Pope will address a highly polarized legislature where the ruling Socialist party is facing pressure over corruption scandals
• ▪Pope Leo XIV will be the first pope in history to address both chambers of the Spanish Parliament

Catholic Church credibility crisis

• ▪King Felipe VI praised Pope Leo's "clarity and firmness" in addressing the clergy abuse crisis, calling it essential for healing
• ▪A 2023 report by Spain's human rights ombudsman estimated hundreds of thousands of people were victims of clergy abuse in the country over decades
• ▪Pope Leo XIV referred to clergy sexual abuse as "an open wound" for the Catholic Church
• ▪During his visit, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to meet with survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy

Youth spiritual awakening in Spain

• ▪The percentage of Spaniards identifying as Catholic dropped from 90% in the 1970s to 55% in 2025
• ▪Pope Leo XIV joked that he was competing for young people's attention with singer Bad Bunny, who was holding concerts in Madrid
• ▪A 2025 survey found that 28.8% of young people in Spain identified as Catholic, an increase from 17.6% in 2010

Canary Islands migration focus

• ▪Spain's government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has initiated an amnesty program to grant legal status to an estimated 500,000 immigrants
• ▪Pope Leo XIV has publicly clashed with U.S. President Donald Trump over his administration's anti-immigration policies
• ▪The Pope's visit will conclude in the Canary Islands, where he will meet with migrants and humanitarian organizations