The Pope Is in Secularized, Polarized Spain, Where the Catholic Church Has a Complex Legacy
The pope will highlight migration, youth and family concerns as Spain faces polarization and a rapid rise in secularism.
- On Saturday, Pope Leo XIV begins a six-day trip to Spain focused on migration and secularism, visiting Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands to highlight migrants' perilous journey from Africa into Europe.
- Secularism has grown rapidly in Spain, with the population identifying as culturally Catholic falling from 90 percent in the 1970s to 54-70 percent today, reflecting broader European trends and declining religious observance.
- Accusing the Catholic Church of supporting an "invasion" of foreign migrants, the far-right Vox party opposes the pope's focus; the IOM estimates 1,172 migrants died or went missing on the route in 2025.
- In Barcelona, Pope Leo XIV will lead mass at the Sagrada Familia Basilica on June 10, commemorating the 100th anniversary of architect Antoni Gaudi, whose basilica reaches 172.5 meters—the world's tallest church.
- Authorities deployed 10,500 national police officers and 2,190 members of the Guardia Civil for security, while more than 4,000 journalists from 80 nationalities received accreditation to cover the high-profile papal visit.
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85 Articles
Pope Leo XIV visits Spain as Church seeks a fresh voice in changing Europe
Pope Leo XIV has begun a weeklong visit to Spain, bringing the American pontiff to one of Europe’s historic centres of Christianity at a moment of political tension, social change and renewed curiosity about faith.
The head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, left this morning for his second visit to Spain, where he is scheduled to inaugurate the new tower of the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona and talk to officials and citizens.
Pope Leon XIV arrives on Saturday in Spain for a seven-day visit, in which he will focus on migration issues and social aspects, France Presse transmits. Leon has gone to Spain on Saturday morning to his apostolic visit for a week with his papal plane, according to Vatican News. Pope Leo ...
This is the ninth visit of a Pontiff to the Iberian country. Prevost will be the first Pope to give a speech in the Iberian Parliament, meet migrants at the dock of Arguineguín, symbol of the migration crisis of 2020, and will receive some victims of abuse by members of the clergy in Spain
The Toronto Star
Pope Leo XIV urges Spain to stop fanning flames of polarization on first papal visit in 15 years
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
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