A papal appeal for unity

Pope Leo XIV’s historic address to Spain’s Congress brought a rare moment of bipartisan unity. Lawmakers from all sides gave the pontiff a standing ovation as he called on them to replace “divisive and polarizing narratives” with a culture of dialogue.

“Change divisive and polarizing narratives for the culture of dialogue.”

The visit produced unusual images: Isabel Díaz Ayuso sitting next to cabinet ministers, Santiago Abascal conversing with Feijóo. But the truce was shallow.

The truce ends before the Pope leaves Madrid

No sooner had the Pope departed Congress than the People’s Party resumed its offensive. Spokesperson Ester Muñoz, at her regular Tuesday press conference on June 9, officially declared the break over.

“The Pope has already left Congress. Madrid too, I believe. He is flying to other destinations in our country and current affairs continue.”

In the PP’s view, the government had tried to use the visit as a shield against its judicial troubles and failed to meet expectations.

Feijóo fires a volley of corruption charges

During the June 10 control session, Feijóo escalated his attacks to a new level. He accused the prime minister of “practicing State delinquency” to cover up scandals engulfing the PSOE and of personally benefiting from party corruption after the Leire case. Invoking the papal visit, Feijóo said: “As you participated with such fervor in the Pope’s visit, you know that one can sin and commit crime by action or omission.” He called on Sánchez to resign, framing the choice as one between guilt and incompetence, and demanded that Spaniards be allowed to speak.

Sánchez hits back with PP’s own record

Sánchez dismissed any talk of resignation or early elections, insisting that the legislature has a four-year mandate and that the people already spoke in 2023. “I accept my mistakes, but I will never accept your degree of hypocrisy,” he shot back, before reciting a litany of PP corruption cases: Púnica, Gürtel, Kitchen, Marcial Dorado, and the so-called patriotic police. He touted economic growth, rising Social Security affiliation, and positive OECD forecasts as proof that his government is focused on governing.

A deeper political stalemate

The clash confirmed that the Pope’s call for the common good over confrontation has gone unheard. With multiple judicial investigations still active around the government, the PP sees no incentive to de-escalate. Muñoz later criticized the cabinet for attempting to use the Pope “as a shield” and reiterated talk of “delinquency” and “State corruption.” The parliamentary session made clear that the political crisis shows no sign of abating.