Key facts
- Pope Leo told Spain's parliament the world is in a profound crisis due to conflict, polarization, and human rights disregard.
Pope Leo addressed Spain's parliament, warning of a profound global crisis driven by conflict, polarization, and human rights disregard. He urged an end to wars, greater support for migrants, and criticized rising European military spending.
The Pope's rare address to a national parliament highlights global concerns over conflict, migration, and military spending, offering a moral perspective on international relations and challenging political leadership.
Pope Leo delivered a forceful address to Spain's parliament, warning that escalating conflict, deepening polarization, and widespread disregard for human rights have plunged the world into a profound crisis. Speaking in Spanish, the pontiff urged politicians to end the wars ravaging the globe and to support migrants, stating that weapons cannot build lasting peace.
His speech, a rare papal address to a national legislature, also touched on the ethical challenges posed by migration, urging solutions that address root causes like war, poverty, and climate change. The Pope criticized rising European military spending as 'troubling' and called for rigorous ethical vigilance over the use of AI in warfare. He also defended religious freedom and the sanctity of the seal of confession.
The Pope's week-long visit to Spain includes meetings with migrants and the homeless. His itinerary also involves a visit to the Sagrada Família, coinciding with its near-completion amid Barcelona's overtourism issues. Pope Leo has previously been critical of U.S. President Donald Trump's policies and European rearmament.