Pope Leo XIV calls on Spain to 'flee identity approaches that populate the world with ghosts'

During his first address in Madrid, Pope Leo XIV implored Spain to move beyond divisive political rhetoric and embrace unity. Speaking at the Royal Palace on Saturday, the pontiff called for "reconciliation" and urged Spaniards to abandon "discourses that divide and polarize your social reality and your history."

The Pope encouraged a shift from "sterile simplifications" to a "fruitful appreciation of complexity." He framed this as a specific vocation for Europe, with Spain playing a foundational role. "I invite everyone, out of love for truth, to abandon the discourses that divide and polarize your social reality and your history, in order to move from sterile simplifications to a fruitful appreciation of complexity," he stated.

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I invite everyone, out of love for truth, to abandon the discourses that divide and polarize your social reality and your history, in order to move from sterile simplifications to a fruitful appreciation of complexity.

Pope Leo XIV's message, delivered during his six-day visit to Spain, directly addressed the nation's political divisions. He warned against "identity approaches that seem to illuminate everything, but which populate the world with ghosts and enemies." He stressed that Spain, with its rich history, is well-positioned to lead in understanding and living with complexity, rather than denying it.

The pontiff's remarks underscore a broader concern about rising nationalism and polarization within Europe. By calling on Spain to "appreciate complexity and study it, learn not to deny it and to live it as a blessing," he urged a more nuanced and unified approach to social and political challenges.

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I see there a specific vocation for Europe, of which Spain is a founding and essential actor.