Pope Leo XIV warns against 'fanning the flames of polarization' on first papal visit to Spain in 15 years
World Jun 6, 2026 4:08 PM EDT
MADRID (AP) — Pope Leo XIV urged Spaniards on Saturday to stop "fanning the flames of polarization" as he arrived in Spain at a moment of political turmoil for the Socialist-led government and a credibility crisis for the Catholic Church.
The American pontiff traveled to Spain dozens of times as a priest, but this is the first visit here by a pope in 15 years. And Spaniards turned out in droves to welcome Leo, with an estimated 500,000 people — many of them young — cheering "This is the youth of the pope" at a raucous evening prayer vigil in Plaza de Lima in Madrid, where Leo was treated to a rock star's welcome.
Leo's visit signals a return of papal attention to Europe's Christian roots after Pope Francis largely stayed away from the traditional centers of Christianity in favor of smaller Catholic communities farther away.
Leo is seemingly keen to bring his message of peace, unity and human dignity to a continent sorely polarized over migration, the Russia-Ukraine war and anxiety over artificial intelligence.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/pope-leo-xiv-warns-against-fanning-the-flames-of-polarization-on-first-papal-visit-to-spain-in-15-years
