Pope Leo XIV has delivered a historic, peace-focused speech at the Spanish parliament.
His address to politicians in the Cortes Generales is the first by a Pontiff. He is visiting Spain until Friday.
His remarks come as Israel and Iran trade strikes in the worst escalation of the war since the April truce and on a day when he met Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, who has opposed the United States and Israel’s war in Iran.
The Pope, who has also been outspoken in his opposition to the conflict, was defended by Sánchez when US President Donald Trump attacked the Pontiff for his opposition to the Iran war. Trump has also clashed with Sánchez over Iran.
In his wide-ranging address, the first American pope, lamented that violence and polarization has plunged the world into crisis.
Pope Leo told Spain’s political leaders in Madrid that every war constitutes, “ultimately, a painful defeat of the capacity to negotiate and also of that shared conscience of humanity that recognizes bonds of justice between nations.”
“The world is going through a profound spiritual and cultural crisis, which manifests itself in multiple forms of violence, polarization and mutual distrust. In this context, peace presents itself as a political aspiration and, even more so, as a true moral imperative.”
Pope Leo XIV
Also, the Pontiff insisted that peace demands “diplomatic courage, ethical responsibility” and the obligation on states “to resolve their disputes through the peaceful means offered by international law.”
Additionally, the Pope’s address warned against increased European spending on arms and the plight of immigrants. He also praised Spain’s historic role in developing the foundation stones for the contemporary understanding of human rights 500 years ago.
The pope stressed that the “inviolable dignity” of every person must guide all legal systems and, for Leo, this includes immigrants.
“The affirmation of human dignity cannot remain abstract when so many people are forced to leave everything behind in search of peace, security and a future. The tragic drama of migration also challenges the conscience of nations and the ethical foundation of the international order today.”
Pope Leo XIV
Migration is one of the key themes of the papal visit to Spain, and Leo will travel to the Canary Islands to show his support for immigrants at a major entry point for those coming to Europe.
The Pope, addressing a highly polarized political landscape in Spain, said that politicians have an obligation to try and “disarm language,” and called for a “moral renewal” in the country. “Political pluralism should not degenerate into the constant disparagement of the adversary,” Pope Leo said.
The Pope stated that the contribution of religious faith cannot be “relegated to silence as if it were irrelevant to public life,” and insisted that human life be defended from “conception to natural death, in every circumstance of its existence.”
“Can a community that casts into the shadows the unborn child, the elderly, the sick, those who suffer in silence, or those who depend entirely on the care of others, be called fully just?”
Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo To Meet Abuse Survivors
The Vatican has said that Leo XIV will meet abuse survivors in Spain, with the Pope describing the abuse as an “open wound” on board the papal plane from Rome to Madrid.
A 2023 ombudsman report estimated that more than 200,000 children suffered abuse by Spain’s clergy over decades, with the crisis damaging the church’s credibility.
During a meeting with bishops, Pope Leo addressed what he described as the “scourge” of abuse, urging Spain’s bishops to listen to survivors and offer reparations.
“One of the most painful encounters is with those who have been wounded precisely by those who were supposed to care for them, including members of the clergy.
“Faced with this scourge, the ecclesial community is called to respond with listening, truth, justice, reparation and an ever more determined commitment to prevention and a culture of care. Every wounded person must be able to find sincere listening, welcome, protection and real paths to healing.”
Pope Leo XIV
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