Pope Leo XIV publicly condemned sexual violence within the Catholic Church, urging for a ‘culture of care’ prior to meeting with victims in Spain. He highlighted the pain suffered by victims, specifically at the hands of clergy, emphasizing the need for listening, justice, reparation, and prevention strategies to establish a nurturing environment.
Addressing Spanish bishops, Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to ensuring victims find sincere listening, protection, and pathways to healing. His speech took place during a joint session with the Spanish Parliament in Madrid, where he also advocated for a global migration response and urged for peace as a global necessity.
Reports indicated Pope Leo XIV’s planned meeting with victims at the Vatican embassy in Madrid, known as the apostolic nunciature. Victim groups, however, expressed disappointment over their lack of representation during the meeting. Juan Cuatrecasas, representing Infancia Robada (Stolen Childhood), voiced these concerns outside the nunciature, demanding that victims’ voices be heard. The Vatican promised further details about the meeting post-event, respecting victim privacy.
Commenting on the flight to Madrid, Pope Leo XIV, aged 70, acknowledged sexual violence as a ‘still open wound’ for the Church, aligning with the estimated 200,000 minors affected in Spain since 1940, based on a 2023 report from Spain’s national ombudsman. The Spanish government and Catholic Church agreed on compensating victims earlier this year following prolonged Church hesitance.
Pope Leo XIV’s speech at the parliament, acclaimed by a standing ovation, stressed migration and peace as urgent global challenges. He demanded legal and safe immigration pathways and migrant integration opportunities. While applauding life preservation from conception to natural end, he addressed Spain’s progressive euthanasia legalization and emboldened constitutional abortion rights, clashing with Spain’s liberal policy under Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Pope Leo XIV’s week-long Spain tour includes a tribute to sea migrants near the Canary Islands, acknowledging its role as a primary entry point for undocumented European migrants. Despite criticism from President Trump, Pope Leo advocates for dialogue over conflict and armament, asserting weapons grant only temporary peace.
The pope celebrated mass before 1.5 million attendees in central Madrid, preceding plans to bless Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia Basilica’s latest tower on Wednesday. This architectural feat by Antoni Gaudi, recently crowned the tallest church globally, signifies another milestone in Pope Leo XIV’s visit, concluding in the Canary Islands alongside Prime Minister Sanchez.
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