Pope Leo XIV wraps Barcelona visit with mass at Sagrada Família, calls for peace and unity

Pope Leo XIV's second day in Barcelona blended high ceremony with a deeply pastoral focus, culminating in an evening mass at the Sagrada Família to mark the centenary of architect Antoni Gaudí's death. The pontiff traveled through the city's Eixample district in the popemobile, drawing crowds of faithful who had waited for hours along Carrer Rosselló.

A call for peace from Gaudí's basilica

During his homily, the Pope addressed global conflicts directly. "Queridos hermanos no podemos creer en Jesús y promover la guerra. No podemos creer en Jesús y matar al inocente," he stated, according to El Confidencial. He extended the message to encompass broader social responsibilities, adding, "No podemos creer en Jesús y abandonar a quien sufre, a quien llora, a quien huye de la miseria." The mass was attended by King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Catalan President Salvador Illa, and other dignitaries.

The Tower of Jesus Christ

A central symbolic act of the visit was the blessing of the Sagrada Família's Tower of Jesus Christ. At 172.5 meters, it makes the basilica the tallest church in the world. The Pope compared the tower to "la escalera de Jacob, que une el cielo y la tierra," and described it as a "faro abierto al Mediterráneo," shining by day with reflected sunlight and illuminated at night. Cardinal Juan José Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona, thanked the Pope, calling his visit "una buena semilla que queda sembrada en nuestros corazones."

Somos conscientes de que nos toca vivir tiempos recios, pero no queremos ser agoreros de desastres, sino sembradores de esperanza.

A day of social engagement

Before the mass, the Pope's schedule emphasized social outreach. He visited Brians 1 prison in Sant Esteve Sesrovires, traveled to Montserrat, and met with 92 charitable and social organizations at the parish of Sant Agustí in the Raval neighborhood. Europa Press reported that his messages throughout Catalonia touched on immigration, femicide, support for the elderly and vulnerable, and mental health. At the Estadi Olímpic prayer vigil, he asked that "este país sea un espacio acogedor para todos, donde cada uno es respetado en su dignidad de personas y amado por lo que es."

Security incidents and massive deployment

More than 5,000 Mossos d'Esquadra officers were deployed across the city. Despite the heavy security, El Periódico reported that two men were arrested for sexual assault along the popemobile route on Carrer Rosselló. The suspects allegedly touched women's genitals over their clothing amid the dense crowd. The victims reported the assaults to officers stationed at the access barriers, leading to the immediate arrests. Additional arrests were made during the day of individuals with outstanding warrants identified during access controls.

Political tone and language

El Confidencial noted that the Pope's message in Catalonia was markedly pastoral, with less political weight than his earlier stop in Madrid, where he had warned against polarization. The visit avoided any gestures toward Catalan independence movements. The Pope incorporated Catalan into his speeches, beginning addresses in the language and using it in informal remarks to the faithful, including wishing them "buon pranzo" from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace where he stayed in Barcelona.

Esta es la iglesia, esto es la iglesia, no lo que muchos se encargan de repetir constantemente, esta es la iglesia a la que está acostumbrado él.

The Pope's journey continues next in the Canary Islands.