Pope Leo XIV Briefly Met Bad Bunny in Madrid

Pope Leo XIV had a brief, informal meeting with Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny in Madrid on Monday. The encounter took place as the pontiff was departing the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, the venue for a large public event he had held earlier.

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni confirmed the brief greeting, stating that Bad Bunny was with his family and other individuals when Pope Leo XIV "briefly greeted them before leaving the stadium." The Pope was in Madrid from Saturday to Tuesday as part of his visit to Spain.

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He was with his family and other people and Leo XIV greeted them briefly before leaving the stadium.

The possibility of such a meeting had generated discussion in Spanish media, given that Bad Bunny was performing concerts in the Spanish capital during the Pope's visit. Earlier, on the flight bringing him to Madrid, Pope Leo XIV had commented on the singer's concerts when asked about the engagement of young people with religion. "If they are faced with the question of whether they want to see Bad Bunny or if they want to see the Pope, I think many will go to see Bad Bunny. But I also think there will be some who come to see the Pope. And that says something," the 70-year-old pontiff remarked.

Interestingly, both Pope Leo XIV, who was born in the United States, and Bad Bunny share the distinction of having been criticized by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

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If they are faced with the question of whether they want to see Bad Bunny or if they want to see the Pope, I think many will go to see Bad Bunny. But I also think there will be some who come to see the Pope. And that says something.