The Pope vindicates the culture of encounter rather than confrontation in his first speech in Madrid. In the Hall of Columns of the Royal Palace of Madrid, and in front of the Kings and members of the Government, Leo XIV gave a speech in which he put on the table the problems of the Spanish and world present. A call against division and confrontation: “Beware of divisive and polarizing narratives.”
The Pontiff began his speech, thanking Spain “for its active commitment to peace and solidarity.” “The ancient bond between Spain and the Church represents a source of inspiration for the challenges it faces. A people full of passion that loves life and manifests it,” he stated.
“Reconciliation”
Of course, the bishop of Rome has asked “reconciliation between the different forces of this nation”. “It is not the culture of confrontation that generates stability and prosperity. The message of peace that for some resonates as provocative is not the culture of confrontation, but that of encounter,” he added during his speech, after a brief hand kiss and a welcome ceremony at the Royal Palace of Madrid.
In this way, the Pope, who left multiple headlines in his first speech, has assured that Spain is coming to encourage a “reconciliation and deeper cooperation between the different forces.” “We need transcendence, but in these dark times, I invite everyone to abandon the polarizing narratives of your reality.” “Let us not bless naive enthusiasms or feed sterile fears,” he added.
“Today, the temptation to gain popularity by fanning the fire of polarizations seems to grow, instead of diminishing; That is why we need culture, interiority, free and quality education, we need transcendence,” the Pope assured.
Likewise, in his farewell he encouraged “taking into account the perspectives of the poor and young people when imagining the future and harmonizing the demands for autonomy and unity.”
Leo XIV during his first speech in Spain.
“Flee from identity approaches”
Robert Prevost has urged us to “flee from those identity approaches that seem to clarify everything, but that populate the world with ghosts and enemies.”
Regarding divisive narratives, the Pope has also emphasized the responsibility that new technologies have where sometimes “prejudices are exacerbated, critical thinking is weakened, arrogant interests sow death drives.”
Given this, Leo
During the extensive dissertation, the Pope gave as an example “the presence of Islam in the Iberian Peninsula” and recalled that in “that period there was not only confrontation, but an attempt was made to create a space for contact, conversation and dialogue about the meaning of truth between Christians, Muslims and Jews.
At this point, he cited the School of Translators of Alfonso
Felipe VI speaks out on the abuses of the Church
These events that welcomed Leo XIV have been historic for many reasons. The King has highlighted the “enormous social work” from the Vatican, and has estimated that there can be no greater contrast with that reality than the pain caused by cases of abuse.
Before them, he recognized the “clarity and firmness” of Leeon XIV, “essential in the healing process and repair of the damage inflicted.” “Your Holiness, welcome to Spain.”
The monarch wanted to praise a “humanist text” where he addresses the challenges of artificial intelligence without a catastrophic vision, recognizing risks and potential and making it clear that this new technology “cannot be a monopoly of a few, but rather an instrument in the hands of all that benefits all societies.”
