politics

Pope Leo calls for leaders to reject polarization as he begins Spanish tour

Pontiff to make marginalized a focus of first papal visit since 2011 including meeting with migrants in the Canaries

Pope Leo calls for leaders to reject polarization as he begins Spanish tour

TL;DR

  • Pope Leo is on his first tour of an EU country outside Italy, visiting Spain.
  • He urged political leaders to seek unity and fight for peace, rather than polarizing populations.
  • The Pope is focusing on marginalized groups, including homeless people and migrants.
  • He will meet survivors of sexual abuse by clergy, acknowledging it as an 'open wound'.
  • Pope Leo noted a resurgence in young people identifying as Catholic in Spain.
  • He suggested technology and social media deepen societal divisions.
  • The Pope referenced Spain's history of religious coexistence as a model for encounter.
  • Spain's current policies offering a pathway to legal residency for immigrants contrast with other European nations.
  • King Felipe acknowledged the Pope's firmness in addressing clerical abuse.
  • The Pope joked about competing with pop star Bad Bunny for young people's attention.