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Welcome Ceremony at the Royal Palace of Madrid and Courtesy Visit to Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain

Meeting with the Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps

 

Welcome Ceremony at the Royal Palace of Madrid and Courtesy Visit to Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain

At 11.45 this morning, the Holy Father Leo XIV visited the Royal Palace of Madrid to pay a courtesy visit to Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain.

Upon arrival, the Pope was welcomed by King Felipe and Queen Letizia, and together they proceeded to the podium for the military honours.

After the anthems, the salute to the flags, the passing of the Guard of Honour and the presentation of the respective delegations, the Pope and the King and Queen of Spain entered the Palace via the Grand Staircase for the courtesy visit.

The Pope and the King entered the Salón de los Espejos for the private meeting, which took place after the official photograph in the Sala Teniers and the subsequent exchange of gifts in the Cámara Oficial.

Finally, Leo XIV and Felipe VI proceeded to the Salón de Columnas for the meeting with the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps.

 

Meeting with the Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps

At 12.50, in the Salón de Columnas of the Royal Palace of Madrid, the meeting with the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps took place.

After the speech from the King of Spain, Felipe VI, the Holy Father XIV delivered his address.

At the end of the meeting, after taking leave of those present, the Pope transferred by car to the Apostolic Nunciature.

The following is the address delivered by the Holy Father to those present during the meeting:

 

Address of the Holy Father

Your Majesties,  Royal Highnesses, Distinguished Representatives of Civil Society, Esteemed members of the Diplomatic Corps, Ladies and gentlemen,

I am grateful to the Lord for this occasion to meet with you, and express my gratitude for the invitation to undertake this Apostolic Journey to Spain. This journey will unfold in several stages, each revealing an aspect of the multifaceted richness of a great country that, for nearly two millennia, has welcomed the Gospel. Tradition has always linked the initial evangelization of the Iberian Peninsula to the preaching of the Apostle James the Greater. This connection is of considerable theological importance, for it expresses the local Church’s awareness of its continuity with the apostolic mission that began at Pentecost. While not exhausting the multifaceted identity of your people, the ancient bond between the Christian faith and this land has profoundly shaped your culture and represents a source of hope and direction amid the challenges we must face together as a human family today. I think of the expressions of popular piety that stand as an authentic dramatization of salvation in every city and town, in step with the rhythm of the year and life’s various contexts.  Along with the artistic and musical heritage, as well as the many confraternities and charitable associations, they bear witness to the fruitful encounter between Jesus Christ and your people, a passionate people who love life and express it!

I come among you to affirm, encourage and instill a renewed fidelity to the Gospel among believers, as well as a deeper reconciliation and collaboration among the various elements of this nation. After all, your own history suggests that a culture of encounter, not confrontation, is what fosters stability and prosperity. In reality, the message of peace, which at present unfortunately strikes some as naïve and others as confrontational, is welcomed by those who do not shut themselves off in preconceived ideologies, but are rather open to the truth. As Pope Francis taught us, there is, in fact, “a constant tension between ideas and realities. Realities simply are, whereas ideas are worked out. There has to be continuous dialogue between the two, lest ideas become detached from realities. It is dangerous to dwell in the realm of words alone, of images and rhetoric” ( Evangelii Gaudium , 231). He concluded that “realities are greater than ideas” ( ibid .). The truth is always greater than we are, which is why it amazes us and draws us toward paths of purification and reconciliation, in which dialogue with others — and with the Other with a capital “O” — becomes fundamentally important.

In this respect, I would like to mention two prominent figures from this country who have enriched the life of the Church and the spiritual journey of many for five centuries, even beyond the borders of Spain. I am referring to John of the Cross and Teresa of Ávila, whose passion for the divine Mystery brought them together as friends. Their mysticism is one of “open eyes,” that is, not detached from history, but rather penetrating to the root of issues and the heart of reality. In particular, upon interpreting the transformations and weathering the tensions that make our age so dark, we can find it helpful to consider the theme of night, so dear to Saint John of the Cross, whose Jubilee Year we are celebrating. Paradoxically, in his thirst for light, he learned to appreciate darkness — the “happy night” ( The   Dark Night of the Soul , 3) — as the time when the soul is freed from what it presumed to know and possess. Even today, what most frightens us, what in many people triggers the darkness of reason and the violence of emotions, is the unknown, before which we may feel overwhelmed by a sense of being lost without a map, as if we have lost our bearings. This is why, even in public life, we need men and women who can perceive light in the darkness: a new beginning, like the dawn of a truth that as yet blinds us, but which — if we trust and find peace — will gently lead us toward itself. “O night that guided! O night more lovely than the dawn! O night that brought together Beloved and beloved, beloved transformed in the Beloved!” (ibid., 5).

Our age, seemingly shaken by terrible imbalances and conflicts, cries out from its depths for peace, for a new understanding of the human person and its inviolable dignity, for a civilization of love (cf.  Magnifica Humanitas ,  186).

Saint Teresa describes this same process using the image of the interior castle.  As one moves from room to room toward the innermost chamber — that is, toward one’s own heart, the sanctuary of truth — the space enlarges, the mind opens, challenges are overcome, tensions dissipate, others find their place, and the universe becomes a home. This is not an escape into the self, but a radical openness to the  Totus Alius et Semper Novus  achieved when we return to ourselves. This dimension of the human person is the reason why religious freedom and freedom of conscience must be protected.

Today, the temptation to gain popularity by fanning the flames of polarization seems to have grown rather than diminished, and human dignity continues to be violated. This is why we need culture, interiority, and free quality education; we need transcendence. And yet, even in these dark nights, men and women who are faithful to the truth have been driven to advance from one room to another until justice and peace embrace in their conscience. It is through their freedom that we learn to be free.

The Catholic Church is at the service of the thirst of the human heart. It is a service not marked by imposition, but rather the Gospel witness attested to by a multitude of martyrs and saints. Today the Church is ready to place herself at the service of the future of a people in search of reconciliation and peace.

For the love of truth, I invite everyone to set aside the divisive and polarizing narratives of your societal reality and history, so as to overcome sterile simplifications through the fruitful appreciation of complexity. I see here a vocation particularly suited to Europe, in which Spain plays a unique and fundamental role. This is the gift that the “Old Continent” can offer the world if it wishes to remain young, for youth is found in those who feel they have a future and a mission that still have meaning. Appreciating and studying complexity, learning not to deny it but to embrace it as a blessing, and fleeing from identity-based approaches that seem to explain everything yet only fill the world with “ghosts” and enemies are the tasks of those who are heirs of a great history. New technologies have created an artificial environment where our fundamental choices are put to the test, prejudices are magnified, critical thinking is weakened and dominating interests spread death wishes.  Nevertheless, goodness can prevail and spread.

It is essential, particularly on the part of those with economic, political and institutional responsibilities, to make a qualitative leap forward — a change of direction in investment in schools, universities and research, as well as in local communities and civil society as a nurturing ground for participation and cultural mediation. Security, which we all too often expect to find in weapons and walls, is in fact best achieved by learning to move forward alongside one another, growing together, side by side. Your own history bears witness to this. The presence of Islam on the Iberian Peninsula, for example, constituted a long-standing political, cultural, and religious reality. During that period, there was not only confrontation, but also an attempt to create a space for contact, conversation and dialogue on the meaning of truth among Christians, Muslims and Jews. At the School of Translators enhanced by Alfonso X (the Wise), experts from all three religions collaborated on translating the texts of the rich Arabic, Greek and Hebrew heritage, contributing to the dissemination of texts such as those of the philosophers Averroes (1126-1198) and Maimonides (1138-1204), among others. The cities of Córdoba and Toledo, in particular, became centers of dialogue between languages, religions and knowledge. This is the truth told by European cities: their historical stratification, the fabric of solidarity that has shaped their differences over the centuries, transforming inevitable conflicts into new beginnings.

As another noble son of this land taught us, trials and failures offer an opportunity for reevaluation. Ignatius of Loyola possessed this kind of audacity, giving credence to the desolations and consolations of his heart through an exercise of discernment and imagination that led him to prefer peace over arms and the saints to the powerful. He understood that the good to which he was drawn was not illusory, and so his crisis became instead a grace. The same can happen with the “novelties” that unsettle us today and often cause division. “We must avoid humiliating or antagonistic words, opting rather for a clarity that sheds light and a frankness that unlocks new possibilities. We cannot condone naïve enthusiasms, nor fuel unfounded fears. Instead, let us establish standards for discernment — the dignity of the human person, the universal destination of goods, the preferential option for the poor, care for our common home and peace — and let us translate these standards into practices such as responsible planning, the assessment of human and social impact, the inclusion of the most vulnerable, the promotion of digital literacy and guiding research and industry toward justice and peace” ( Magnifica Humanitas ,  14).

Your Majesties, Royal Highnesses, ladies and gentlemen, I express my gratitude to your country for its faithful adherence to international law and multilateralism, which is reflected in an active commitment to peace and solidarity among peoples. At the same time, I encourage you to cultivate as well dialogue and civic friendship within your own country, to take into account the perspectives of the poor and the young when envisioning the future, to harmonize the claims for autonomy and unity, and to advance the cause of unity in Europe — not in opposition to other powers, but as a gift to the entire human family.

God bless Spain!

This morning, on the aircraft that carried him to Spain, the Holy Father Leo XIV, as is customary, greeted the media workers who accompanied him on the papal flight.

The following are the Pope’s words of greeting to journalists present on the flight:

 

Matteo Bruni

Good morning, Your Holiness. We are ready for this new journey. Accompanying you on board are around 80 journalists from more than 10 countries, including about 20 from Spain. Thank you for greeting us, and thank you for the words you will share with us in the coming days.

 

Pope Leo XIV

Good morning to you all.

We are already over Spanish territory, and so I would first like to greet, in Spanish, the Spanish journalists travelling with us, as well as all those present here. Thank you very much for your service.

As you know very well, this is  the first papal visit to Spain  in quite some time. Personally, I am very pleased to be making this journey. I have visited Spain many times, but this is the first time I come with this mission. An Apostolic Journey is an opportunity to meet the faithful, to celebrate the faith and to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ. But at the same time, it is also an occasion to greet everyone, the whole of society, because the Church has a message for all people, as you may have seen, I believe, very clearly in the  Encyclical Letter that was published on the 25th of May .

I hope that everyone will have a pleasant journey and that it will be an opportunity to foster great enthusiasm. There are many Catholics, and I would especially like to highlight the presence of young people. From what I have been told, a large number of young people will participate with great enthusiasm. By sharing together in the joy of faith, I believe we can offer a very positive message. It is a message that will take on a particular significance in every place we visit, whether Madrid, Barcelona or the Canary Islands. May everything serve to live out our faith and to proclaim the message of God’s love, charity and respect for every human person.

It is a pleasure to greet you all, and I wish you a good journey.

Resignation of bishop of Parañaque, Philippines

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Parañaque, Philippines, presented by Bishop Jesse E. Mercado.

Departure from Rome

Telegram to the President of the Italian Republic

 

Departure from Rome

This morning, Pope Leo XIV began his journey to Spain, the fourth Apostolic Journey of his pontificate.

After leaving the San Damaso Courtyard, in the Vatican, the Pope transferred by car to Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, Fiumicino, Rome. At 8.13 he departed for Madrid on board an ITA Airways A320-9.

The aircraft carrying the Holy Father is expected to land at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas International Airport at 10.30.

 

Telegram to the President of the Italian Republic

Upon leaving Italian territory, the Holy Father sent the following telegram to the President of the Italian Republic, the Honourable Sergio Mattarella:

Telegram

His Excellency Hon. Sergio Mattarella President of the Italian Republic Quirinal Palace 00187 Rome As I begin my Apostolic Journey in Spain, under the maternal gaze of the Virgin Mary who welcomes us and guides us towards God, the source of unity and hope for all peoples, I am pleased to extend to you, Mr. President, my warmest greetings, accompanied by fervent prayers for the good and prosperity of the entire Italian nation.

Leo PP. XIV

This morning, in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience the German Catholic Student Associations, to whom he delivered the following address:

 

Address of the Holy Father

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you!

Dear brothers and sisters, welcome!  Herzlich willkommen!

I am told that Germans are very punctual! Ich bin ein Ausländer.

Dear friends,

I am pleased to greet all of you, members of the German Catholic student associations, who are gathering for a joint conference, the  Cartellversammlung , for the first time outside of Germany. Your decision to come here to Rome,  ad Petri Sedem , is motivated by the Catholic faith that defines you, by the communion that binds us as disciples of Jesus and by the cultural activities you undertake. I would like to reflect briefly on these three aspects to strengthen the bond of fraternity that unites you and your shared dedication to the Church.

Regarding your Catholic identity, your firm commitment to the faith is reflected in the four principles that guide your association:  religio ,  scientia ,  amicitia  and  patria . In the face of the despotism and ideologies of the past, the Catholic faith has never been merely a veneer or a label, but rather a way of life to be shared in university and in work settings. Like evangelical leaven, your fraternity continues to grow within scientific and political contexts as well as across various academic, professional and social circles. This communal dimension of your activities benefits not only your country, but also all of Europe, of which Germany is at the center.

To this geographical centrality, you rightly add the cultural centrality of the human person, a creature of God and the architect of his or her own life. Faced with the challenges of the technological revolution, you should devote particular attention to the study and the promotion of our common humanity. In his or her irreducible expression as male or female, the human person is in fact always relational and limited, and therefore called to become a task for oneself and a gift to the other. Just like the exercise of reason, so too does the light of faith illumine the promises and deceptions of the present time, calling on each person to do their best to help build a just and peaceful society.

Regarding the spirit of communion that animates this initiative, I am pleased to recall your motto:  In certibus unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas . These words attest to the true foundation, the critical dialogue and constant dedication that characterize your association. The relationship among members of many associations is not limited to sharing knowledge, but matures into reciprocal esteem. It is not confined to ideas but becomes a collaborative practice. As all of you follow Christ, the only Lord and Master of life, you represent Catholic values in society not as those who carry partisan flags, but as representatives of the common good of humanity. In Germany, in Italy and throughout the world, the same Catholic faith strengthens our cooperation, without compromising with the trends of the moment, without placing individualistic preferences ahead of the common Tradition of the Church. In the joy of fraternity, I therefore encourage you to promote the evangelization of culture: your university organizations continually draw in new young people because they bear witness to passion, competence and authentic Christian friendship.

With regard to the diverse cultural activities that you undertake across various fields of study and work, you have come to realize that it is not merely a matter of pursuing a profession ( Beruf ), but of following a vocation ( Berufung ). Indeed, the search for truth is a good worth desiring and passing on. As we pursue it methodically, we come to understand that no field of study can be reduced to mere speculation. Precisely because it involves the exercise of both intellect and will, study is rather a commitment, requiring self-discipline and conversion: a transformation of the mind, which we cultivate like fertile soil by honing our tools of the trade. By doing our very best, we become responsible stewards in society without being seduced by careers focused on money. Let us rather recognize that culture is the good of humanity: truth sets us free, while falsehood distorts names and things. In the face of what dehumanizes people – especially the least among us, the poor and the sick – I ask you to be witnesses to Christian humanism. In this regard, I invite you to reflect deeply on what  Pope Benedict XVI , a distinguished former member of your association, said: develop a coherent “ecology of man. Man, too, has a nature that he must respect” ( Address to the Bundestag ,, 22 September 2011). Integral ecology, so dear to  Pope Francis  (cf. Encyclical Letter  Laudato Si’  10–11, 62), sheds light on the fact that the world is full of meaning, and not an inert entity to be shaped arbitrarily or by the thirst for power. We, in fact, are not random aggregates of particles, but bodies open to transcendence: by directing our thirst for life and justice, for wisdom and love, we discover together the truth in knowing, doing and believing.

After all, human beings are always seeking God, and he has revealed himself to us as our Saviour. It is not in spite of our activities, then, but precisely through what we do that we develop a relationship with God, which becomes a path to holiness. Yes, the cultural mission of Christians is to direct society and history toward this pinnacle of a God-centered life. Through the intercession of Saint Boniface, evangelizer of Germany, may you be witnesses to this wisdom of the Gospel in German and in European society. With esteem for your associations, I gladly impart my Apostolic Blessing upon all of you and your loved ones.  Danke sehr!

Let us pray together: Pater noster …