Pope Leo XIV It's his first visit. Spain since he was elected chief Roman Catholic Churches.
Wearing a traditional white cassock with a pectoral cross and a white cap (zuket), he spoke to officials during a visit to Madrid.
During his address to the Spanish Parliament, he pointed out that the world is going through a "deep spiritual and cultural crisis", calling on the international community to pay more attention to the causes and consequences of migration, as well as to preserving peace at a time of growing global tensions.
In a speech before the deputies in Madrid, the first address by a pope to the Spanish parliament in history, the head of the Roman Catholic Church spoke about wars, migration, artificial intelligence, the climate crisis, but also the issues of abortion and euthanasia.
"The world is going through a deep spiritual and cultural crisis that manifests itself through various forms of violence, polarization and mutual mistrust," the pope said. According to him, peace is not only a political aspiration but also a moral necessity.
Leo XIV told politicians that the pursuit of peace required "diplomatic courage and ethical responsibility," as well as resolving disputes in accordance with international law, rather than relying on what he called "temporary silence created by arms."
Photo: Yara Nardi, Pool Photo via APThis was the first address of the Pope to the Spanish parliamentarians
On migration: "Tragic drama" of the modern world
He dedicated a special part of his speech to migration, which he described as a "tragic drama" of the modern world.
He called on states to protect migrants and refugees, open safe and legal migration routes and tackle the causes that force people to leave their homes, such as wars, poverty and climate change.
A large part of the address was dedicated to this topic. During his one-week visit to Spain, the Pope plans to draw additional attention to the migrant issue, so in addition to Madrid, he will also visit the Canary Islands, where he will talk with migrants who arrived from Africa to Europe via the dangerous Atlantic route.
The first pope from the United States of America has previously entered into disagreements with the administration of President Donald Trump due to his attitude towards migrants. His visit to Spain comes as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government pursues a different policy from much of Europe, seeking to regulate the status of more than 500.000 undocumented migrants and asylum seekers.
Photo: AP Photo/Alessandra TarantinoWhat did the pope tell the parliamentarians?
About abortion and euthanasia
During his speech, the Pope also recalled the traditional teaching of the Catholic Church on the sanctity of human life, referring to the issues of abortion and euthanasia.
"Each human life must be recognized and protected from conception to natural death, in all circumstances of its existence. When this certainty is obscured, the most vulnerable become the first victims, and the law loses its deepest meaning - to serve and protect every person," said Leo XIV.
He added that "the moral greatness of a nation is first of all shown in its ability to follow, protect and love the most fragile among us."
Abortion was decriminalized in Spain in 1985, while a 2010 law gave women the right to terminate a pregnancy up to the 14th week. Euthanasia was legalized in 2021.
Photo: AP Photo/Andrea ComasThe Pope was welcomed by many believers
About victims of sexual violence in the Church
During his visit to Spain, the Pope also met with victims of sexual violence in the Catholic Church. After an almost hour-long conversation with six people who were abused by members of the clergy, he promised "additional efforts" and a "more effective response" by the Church to this problem.
As announced by the Vatican, Leo XIV told the victims that their proposals will serve as the basis for further steps to make the Church "a safe and spiritually healthy place". Addressing the Spanish bishops, he asked for "truth, justice and compensation" for the victims, as well as stronger prevention measures.
However, part of the organizations that gather the victims expressed their dissatisfaction with the meeting with the Pope. The representatives of the association stated that the people invited to the meeting were mainly people involved in the programs initiated by the Church itself, assessing that a large number of victims still remain without a voice.
According to a 2023 report by the Spanish Ombudsman, an estimated 200.000 minors in Spain have been victims of sexual abuse by members of the clergy since 1940. In March of this year, the Spanish government and the Catholic Church reached an agreement on compensation for the victims.
Photo: FoNet/APThe Pope spoke about key world issues and problems
First visit to Spain since the election of the Pope
The Pope is on a one-week visit to Spain, from June 6 to 12. Apart from Madrid, they will also visit Barcelona and the Canary Islands.
It is his first visit to Spain since he was elected head of the Roman Catholic Church, but also the first papal visit to that country after 15 years, that is, since the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI in 2011.
During this visit, Leo XIV became the first pope to address the Spanish Parliament.
Source: Guardian/FoNet
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