Over one million people gathered in Madrid for an open-air mass led by Pope Leo. During the service, the American pontiff highlighted the contradiction between Christian principles and far-right ideology, stating, “No one can kneel before the Lord and despise their brother.”
Crowds began forming hours before dawn on Sunday to secure positions for the largest event of the pope’s week-long Spanish visit. Elena Cabiedas, 29, described the occasion as a historic event. Organizers estimated that 1.2 million people filled the Plaza de Cibeles and surrounding streets. Upon his arrival in the popemobile, the crowd cheered and shouted “long live the pope.”
Leo encouraged worshippers to express their faith through action rather than private devotion, urging them to support the poor, suffering families, and those who have lost hope. This sentiment reflects the core objective of his first tour of Spain in 15 years, which combines pastoral and official events to emphasize his positions on social issues and migration.
Prior to the trip, Leo—who has disagreed with Donald Trump regarding the war with Iran and immigration policies—expressed hope that the visit would demonstrate the importance of respecting every human being. On Saturday, he urged political leaders to prioritize unity over divisive tactics used to gain votes. Before a night-time vigil attended by 600,000 young people, the pope engaged the crowd by performing a viral 6-7 hand gesture.
During Saturday's activities, Leo met Khadri, a Senegalese national who survived a dangerous Atlantic crossing during the pandemic. Khadri shared that the Catholic charity Caritas provided the essential support and respect he needed to find employment and regularize his legal status, making him feel his life mattered.
The tour underscores a shifting relationship between religion and politics. While faith was traditionally associated with right-wing politicians globally, Leo’s frequent disagreements with the Trump administration have highlighted a significant gap between the pontiff's commitment to human rights and the anti-immigrant views of the far right. Consequently, the socialist and atheist Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, appears more aligned with the pontiff's views.
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