Pope Leo XIV received a standing ovation during a rare papal address to Spain's parliament in Madrid, where he warned of a global 'spiritual and cultural crisis' and urged the international community to address migration as a 'tragic drama.'
Papal Address to Lawmakers
In a wide-ranging speech to Spanish lawmakers, the pontiff touched on conflict, artificial intelligence, the climate emergency, and issues of abortion and euthanasia. He emphasized that peace is not just a political aspiration but a 'true moral need,' requiring diplomatic courage and ethical responsibility.
The pope expressed concern over rearmament in Europe and beyond, stating that true security stems from justice, dialogue, and respect for international law, not from weapons. He called for prioritizing human lives over the interests that profit from war.
Focus on Migration
Much of the speech was devoted to migration, a key issue on his week-long visit to Spain, which includes meetings in the Canary Islands with migrants who crossed the Atlantic from Africa. Leo highlighted the moral duty of nations to accept and protect migrants, criticizing discrimination based on origin or status.
He urged the creation of safe legal pathways and integration opportunities, while also addressing root causes such as lack of peace, security, and climate crisis effects. This comes as Spain's socialist-led government regularizes over 500,000 undocumented migrants, bucking European trends.
Far-right Vox party leader Santiago Abascal has decried the regularisation scheme as an 'invasion,' and Vox seeks to prioritize Spaniards over foreign-born people in housing and benefits in coalition regions.
Sanctity of Life
The pope reminded lawmakers of the church's teaching on the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death, stating that a nation's moral greatness is shown in protecting the most vulnerable. Abortion was decriminalized in Spain in 1985 and relaxed in 2010; euthanasia was legalized in 2021.
Meeting with Abuse Survivors
Later on Monday, the pope met with survivors of sexual abuse by clergy, describing it as 'a scourge' and calling for a response with listening, truth, justice, and reparation. However, some victim groups complained of being excluded from meetings, demanding rights and reparations rather than a photo with the pope.
