Pope Leo XIV reflected on his recent Apostolic Journey to Spain during his General Audience on Wednesday, expressing gratitude for the faith and warmth shown by the Spanish people and urging Catholics to continue building unity rooted in Christ.
Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Holy Father said the visit left a deep impression on him, particularly the enthusiastic response he received throughout Madrid, Barcelona, the Abbey of Montserrat, and the Canary Islands.
“The people of God gave me great comfort through their joyful expression of their faith and affection,” Pope Leo said, according to Vatican News.
The Pope noted that Spain remains a nation marked by a rich Catholic heritage, even amid significant social and cultural changes. He thanked the Spanish people, civil authorities, bishops, and local Church communities for their welcome and for the opportunity to strengthen the faithful in their mission.
According to Vatican News, Pope Leo explained that one of the central responsibilities of the Successor of Peter is to foster communion within the Church. He said his role is to encourage Catholics “to overcome every form of division and conflict by always promoting communion, dialogue, and unity in diversity.”
Reflecting on the large crowds that greeted him, the Pope suggested that the response revealed more than affection for the papacy. “This fact was not to be taken for granted, and is worthy of reflection,” he said, according to Vatican News.
While such participation reflects the enduring faith of the Spanish people, Pope Leo observed that it also points to a broader desire for authentic unity in society. He noted that many people are searching for a foundation that is “neither ideological nor based on partial interests,” adding that only Christ can provide such a foundation.
The Holy Father also spoke about Europe’s Christian heritage, recalling liturgical celebrations in Madrid and Barcelona as well as the Rosary prayed at the Abbey of Montserrat. According to Vatican News, he described Europe’s Catholic tradition as “an inestimable wealth” that remains a living reality rather than a relic of the past.
He emphasized that this spiritual inheritance must be preserved and applied to the pressing challenges of the modern world, including peace, environmental stewardship, sustainable development, and respect for human dignity.
Pope Leo connected those concerns to themes found in his encyclical Magnifica humanitas, which addresses the protection of the human person in the age of artificial intelligence. According to Vatican News, he said many people today are seeking “the Gospel of hope” amid the struggles created by what he called a “deceptive model of development.”
Among the most memorable moments of the journey, the Pope recalled encounters with children, the poor, abuse survivors, prisoners, migrants, and young people facing uncertainty about the future.
He gave special attention to the situation in the Canary Islands, where local Catholic communities continue to welcome large numbers of migrants arriving from Africa. While acknowledging that migration presents complex challenges requiring coordinated solutions, Pope Leo encouraged Catholics to see migration through the lens of the Gospel.
According to Vatican News, he said this perspective allows Christians to “reread the Gospel in today’s world,” sharing the gifts of different cultures while recognizing the fruits produced by Christ in every people.
The Pope highlighted dialogue and fraternity as essential fruits of Christian faith and acknowledged that building such a culture requires effort and divine assistance. “This path is not easy,” he said, according to Vatican News, but it ultimately “leads to the civilization of love.”
Concluding his reflection, Pope Leo returned to the motto of his Spanish journey: “Lift up your gaze!” Drawing from the Gospel of John, he invited Catholics everywhere to raise their eyes toward the Lord and place their hope in Him.
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