Pope Leo XIV denounces 'dramatic reality' of femicides and calls for mental health priority at Barcelona vigil

Pope Leo XIV used a massive youth prayer vigil at Barcelona's Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Tuesday to confront two of society's most pressing issues: violence against women and the mental health crisis among young people. The event, which drew an estimated 40,000 attendees, marked the first papal visit to Catalonia in 44 years and featured a raw, question-and-answer format that gave voice to deeply personal testimonies.

Testimonies of suffering and survival

The most emotional moment of the night came when Desirée, a 20-year-old law student from a humble Barcelona neighborhood, shared her story. She recounted how her father attempted to kill her mother when she was a child, an attack that was foiled by a bystander who died in the process. Her father went to prison, and her mother turned to drugs. Desirée was taken into care by social services at age 10. She asked the Pope how she could forgive her father and reconcile with God.

During my childhood my father tried to kill my mother. She was saved because a boy stepped in to protect her and he died. My father went to prison and my mother took refuge in drugs.

Another young woman, Carmina, a teacher from L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, spoke about her own suicide attempt after years of battling depression. She described the 'darkness' she experienced and asked how one can see God when the darkness is absolute.

I am here because God gave me a second chance and I will be eternally grateful. But there are still many people who struggle and continue to face this darkness daily.

The Pope's response on violence against women

Leo XIV responded by describing a 'toxic climate in family relationships marked by abuse and oppression' and specifically 'violence against women, which unfortunately often leads to femicide.' He called this a 'dramatic reality' that everyone is called to address, both personally and as a society.

So many crime reports, even today, reflect a toxic climate in family relationships marked by abuse and oppression and, in particular, by violence against women, which unfortunately often leads to femicide.

The Pope stressed that the roots of such violence are anthropological and cultural, and he rejected any attempt to attribute the evil to God's will. He argued that God has given humanity intelligence, will, conscience, dignity, and freedom, and that humans must interrogate their own behavior and the dynamics of society, individualism, and the temptation of violence.

Mental health as a priority

Addressing Carmina's testimony, Leo XIV thanked her for her courage and linked the 'silent illness' of depression among young people to the suffering of Christ on the cross. He criticized a society that demands perfection from its youth and silences moments of darkness and suffering. The Pope drew applause when he demanded better health services and care for mental health problems, insisting that mental health must be seen as a priority within the healthcare system.

In those dark hours, as he was dying on the cross, Jesus shared our pain and revealed to us the face of a compassionate God, who bears our sorrows, who suffers with us, weeps our tears and remains at our side with his presence full of love and mercy.

A Catalan welcome

The vigil was steeped in Catalan culture. The Pope alternated between Spanish and Catalan throughout his interventions, a gesture that was warmly received. The event featured a performance by the castellers of Vilafranca, who built an eight-level human tower that drew appreciative applause from the pontiff. Music was provided by the group Hakuna and singer Sergio Dalma alongside the Escolanía de Montserrat. Cardinal Archbishop Juan José Omella of Barcelona welcomed the Pope and expressed gratitude that he 'understands and comprehends our Catalan language.' The vigil took place before a replica of the Tower of Jesus of the Sagrada Familia, which was to be officially inaugurated the following day, coinciding with the centenary of Antoni Gaudí.

The broader visit

The Barcelona vigil was the second stop on a week-long visit to Spain that began in Madrid, where over 70,000 people had gathered at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. The US-born Pope has drawn large crowds despite Spain's strong secular tradition. After Barcelona, he was scheduled to travel to the Canary Islands. Tickets for the Barcelona event sold out within fifteen minutes of being made available to the faithful.