More than two million people turned out for Pope Leo XIV’s two major events in Madrid. The first, a Saturday night youth vigil, followed by a Sunday mass. Throngs of people lined the streets as he motored in the infamous “Pope Mobile” between his three-days of engagements that included meeting with the King, speaking to Spanish Parliament and other official events.
After Madrid, the Pope traveled to Barcelona and then the Canary Islands where he met with immigrants. His consistent message is for people to show more Christian values to those in need, especially the immigrants. Many right-wing parties around the world are weaponizing immigration as a major problem for their country’s economic woes and much-needed policy changes. Targeting immigrants, warned the Pope, unleashes cruelty and makes the world more violent.
Bad Bunny was playing 10 nights during the papal visit. Some before the Pope arrived thought the popular musician would steal focus. As more than one million people turned out for Sunday’s mass, it became clear who the real rock star is.
Pope Leo has been in a popular lightening rod in the US as an antidote to the cruel corruption unleashed by its current administration.
The current U.S. leadership opposes the U.S.-born Pope, supports Putin’s Russia and the destructive war of choice in Iran that recently “ended”.
Listening to Pope Leo these past few days has provided much-needed balm for the heart during these divisive times.
From the response from the Spanish people during the papal visit, they seem to agree.
