Six days, four cities, twenty-one different events, and more than two and a half million people, Pope Leo XIV's apostolic journey to Spain was packed with incredible moments.
The pope’s messages during the trip inspired Catholics and non-Catholics alike. He had words to share with everyone: children, adults, the elderly, young people, people with disabilities, vulnerable people, the sick, the list goes on.
What stood out in his speeches above all was his clear emphasis on the dignity of every single human life—a core principle of Catholic Social Teaching that came out strongly during his speech before the Spanish Parliament:
POPE LEO XIV
The defense of human life is not a partial issue nor a confessional interest: it is a goal of civilization. Every human life must be recognized and protected from conception to natural death, in every circumstance of its existence. When this certainty is obscured, the most vulnerable are the first victims.
One of the best highlights from Madrid, meanwhile, was the moment of silence during the Prayer Vigil with more than half a million young people. It was also there that Pope Leo encouraged the youth not to be afraid of marriage and of raising children:
POPE LEO XIV
Congratulations on your marriage, Fernando!...Here I also see other couples who are going to get married—congratulations and blessings! Because if earlier I said: do not be afraid to think about a vocation, marriage is also a vocation. Do not be afraid of marriage and of starting families.
And during his visit to the Brians 1 prison in Barcelona, Pope Leo heard a challenging testimony from one of the female inmates. The words he shared in response to her were some of the most moving and powerful uttered on his trip.
POPE LEO XIV
God loves you as you are, but He dreams of you becoming better! The Lord allows us all to start anew.
This theme of new beginnings was also conveyed to the migrants he met in the Canary Islands. Stating the need for migrants to be welcomed, he also emphasized the responsibility of migrants to adapt to the customs of the host countries that welcome them:
POPE LEO XIV
To you, dear migrant brothers and sisters, belongs a noble and necessary part of this journey: to open yourselves with trust to the community that receives you, to learn its language, respect its laws, become familiar with its customs, participate in common life, and offer your gifts with gratitude.
The trip to Spain gave us some of the best moments of Pope Leo XIV's papacy so far. The motto of the visit was “Raise your gaze,” but it seemed the pope's trip raised more than eyes—it also raised the hearts, hopes, and joy of the Spanish people.
