Wojciech Rogacin – Vatican
Upon arrival at the Royal Palace in Madrid and being welcomed by the King and Queen of Spain, the Holy Father met with authorities, the diplomatic corps, and representatives of civil society.
Desire to bridge divisions
“I come to you to strengthen, encourage, and inspire believers to renewed fidelity to the Gospel,” said Leo XIV. He added that he also desires “to support deeper reconciliation and cooperation among the various communities of this Nation.”
To Spanish society, which – like many in today’s world – is marked by divisions, the Holy Father brings a desire for reconciliation and bridging divides.
“It is not a culture of confrontation, but a culture of encounter that generates stability and prosperity,” said the Pope.
People who see the light are needed
He recalled the examples of great saints of this land: St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Ávila, whose mysticism – as he said – is a mysticism of open eyes, meaning it does not shy away from history but leads to the roots of problems and to the very heart of reality.
He pointed to the theme of night, dear to St. John of the Cross, and the fact that in his desire for light, he paradoxically learned to appreciate darkness as a time when the soul frees itself from what it thought it knew and possessed.
“Even today, what frightens us most is the unknown,” said the Pope. “In the face of this, a sense of losing the map and disorientation may prevail. Therefore, also in public life, men and women are needed who can see light in the darkness, and ultimately – a possible beginning, almost an intrusion of truth as a light that still blinds, but which – if we trust and find peace – will gently draw us to itself,” added Leo XIV.
We need transcendence
Pointing to the example of St. Teresa, the Pope spoke of the need to understand the human person and their inviolable dignity, and to build a civilization of love.
“Today, the temptation to gain popularity by fanning the flames of polarization seems to be growing rather than weakening, and human dignity continues to be violated. Therefore, we need culture, inner life, free and honest education, we need transcendence,” said the Holy Father.
As he stated, the Catholic Church serves this desire of the human heart. “It does so not by imposing, but by evangelical witness, confirmed by countless martyrs and saints. Even today, it is ready to dedicate itself to the service of the future of a nation that seeks reconciliation and peace,” emphasized the Pope.
Abandon what divides
Leo XIV delivered a strong appeal to authorities and representatives of society. “In the name of the love of truth, I call on everyone to abandon narratives that divide and polarize your social reality and its history, to move from sterile simplifications to a fruitful appreciation of complexity. I see in this a special vocation for Europe, in which Spain plays a primary and fundamental role,” said the Holy Father.
He added that this is a gift that the Old Continent can offer to the world.
Security not in weapons, but in relation with others
The Holy Father pointed out that new technologies have become an artificial environment in which our fundamental choices are put to the test. In this environment, prejudices are exacerbated – warned the Pope – and critical thinking weakens. Good, however, can counteract this phenomenon.
To politicians and those responsible for the economy, the Pope said that there is a need to change the direction of investments allocated to schools, universities and scientific research, to local communities and to civil society as environments for participation and cultural mediation.
Let us not fuel sterile fears
The Pope recalled that “another noble son of this land, St. Ignatius Loyola, teaches that one must have the courage to rethink everything anew. This great saint understood that the good he felt drawn to was not a utopia, and then his crisis transformed into grace.
In the face of today’s novelties, the Pope quoted his call from the encyclical Magnifica humanitas: “Let us avoid words that humiliate or pit one against another. Let us choose clarity that illuminates, and also sincerity that opens paths. Let us not succumb to naive enthusiasms and let us not fuel sterile fears” (Magnifica humanitas, 14).
Encouraging the authorities to care for the poor and social harmony, Leo XIV concluded his speech with the cry: “May God bless Spain!”
