Pope Leo XIV Visits Spain Amid US Pressure and Focus on War and Migration

Pope Leo XIV has embarked on a seven-day visit to Spain, traveling between Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands. A senior Vatican source described the trip as “highly political.” During his stay, the pope is scheduled to deliver a historic speech before both the Senate and the Congress, expected to emphasize the current international turmoil marked by numerous wars and conflicts, as well as to advocate for migrants facing significant pressures due to the rise of far-right parties in Western countries.

At the official reception in Madrid, the pope urged, “I call on everyone, out of love for truth, to abandon divisive and polarizing rhetoric within your social reality and history, and to move from sterile simplifications to a fruitful appreciation of complexity. I see this as a special message for Europe, of which Spain is a key player.”

He praised Spain’s “steadfast commitment” to peace, stating, “I express my gratitude to your country for its dedication to international law and pluralism, which is reflected in its constant concern for peace and solidarity among peoples.”

King Felipe VI of Spain commended the pope’s “clarity” and “firmness” in addressing sexual abuse cases within the Church, calling these qualities “necessary” for the victims. The king said, “Your clarity and firmness, which I also wish to commend, are essential in the process of healing wounds and compensating for harm: they are necessary for the victims, the faithful, the Church, and society as a whole,” while acknowledging “the pain caused by abuse cases that do not represent, nor can represent, the entire ecclesiastical community.”

The first American pope in the history of the Catholic Church framed this visit under the theme guiding Vatican diplomacy since his election nearly nine years ago. During a lengthy conversation with journalists aboard the flight from Rome to Madrid, he stated, “The Church’s message is the same at all times and places: respect for human dignity regardless of race, religion, belief, or social status.”

Perspectives on the Iran and Ukraine Conflicts

When asked about the US war against Iran and his public letter titled “The Wonderful Humanity,” which discussed the just war concept mentioned by the US vice president, Pope Leo XIV responded, “We have clearly stated that this is not a just war. The problem is that the concept of a just war emerged in ancient times when humans did not possess the weapons and destructive capacity they have today.”

Regarding the message he wishes to send to Russian President Vladimir Putin after Putin’s refusal to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the pope said, “Four years have passed since this war, which has caused many casualties, and it must end. The situation is deteriorating, and we must increase pressure to reach a solution that puts an end to the violence.”

Church Abuse Cases and Migration Issues

Addressing the sexual abuse scandals that have previously implicated the Catholic Church, the pope described it as “a still open wound,” emphasizing his commitment to continue and intensify efforts to tackle the issue.

During this visit, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to meet with several victims of abuse or their representatives. However, the most prominent focus of the trip will be on migrants, a topic that has been central to the Church’s concerns since the papacy of the late Pope Francis. The current Spanish government’s approach to migration is considered a model for other Western nations.

There is significant anticipation regarding the statements and positions Pope Leo XIV will express during the 22 speeches he is set to deliver throughout this visit. This comes after repeated criticisms directed at him by US President Donald Trump and several members of his administration, the same criticisms faced by Spain’s socialist government led by Pedro Sánchez.

Alignment with Spanish Government and Political Tensions

The pope’s positions closely align with those of Pedro Sánchez on several fronts, including Israel’s war on Gaza, opposition to war with Iran, criticism of US administration policies, and defense of migrants. Several weeks ago, during his first meeting with Spanish bishops, Pope Leo XIV surprised many by expressing concern over potential attempts by far-right forces and parties to exploit the Church for their political agendas.

Following that meeting, Spanish Church officials made unprecedented critical statements against the far-right party Vox’s stance on migrants.

Vatican diplomatic sources reveal that Pope Leo XIV is facing increasing pressure from the US administration, with direct and indirect calls to moderate his statements and positions regarding war and migration issues.

These sources disclose that some of the pressure has reached a worrying level, with a senior US official alluding to “Avignon popes,” referring to the historic schism in the 14th century when seven popes rebelled against Rome’s authority and took residence in Avignon, France, under pressure from King Philip IV of France, who was in conflict with the papacy.