Pope Proposes Language of Love in Madrid, Urging Inclusivity

During his visit to Madrid, Pope Leo XIV declared that love is the universal language that ensures everyone feels welcome. Speaking to an audience of 70,000 faithful at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, the Pope acknowledged Madrid as a significant European capital, a destination for opportunity seekers, and a place that experiences both joy and despair.

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Love is the language that makes everyone feel at home.

"You are the diocesan Church in the midst of a people who love music, dance, and togetherness, but who also know conflict, resignation, and sometimes desperation," Pope Leo XIV told the congregation. He stressed that in such situations, the Gospel can offer a path to hope.

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You are the diocesan Church in the midst of a people who love music, dance, and togetherness, but who also know conflict, resignation, and sometimes desperation.

The pontiff highlighted the growing importance of the Christian mission within large urban centers, where new cultures are constantly emerging. He noted that in these bustling cities, people can sometimes feel lost without clear guidance. Therefore, he urged a return to the "spiritual art of being cordial," warning that without it, even the proclamation of the Gospel risks becoming impersonal and ineffective, leading to frustration and distrust.

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In the great cities, more than in other places, sometimes we seem to no longer have the maps to move around safely. Then we must relearn the spiritual art of being cordial, without which even the proclamation of the Gospel risks becoming an impersonal repetition and, by losing effectiveness, leaves room for frustration and distrust.

Pope Leo XIV encouraged the faithful to offer an "evangelical testimony" that unleashes humanity's best qualities, especially in a world bombarded with images and words but starved of justice and truth. He also called on Church representatives in Madrid to actively engage with and interpret the lives of local neighborhoods, cultural shifts, and social tensions. He concluded by stating that the Church of Madrid had scored a "goal for all time."

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Goodness, even if it is from a few, can overcome the fear of many. Be, for everyone, like an open Bible: that in your faces and in your lives the Word of God can be found.