Pope Leo XIV’s Visit to Spain and Its Implications

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Spain on Saturday for a weeklong visit. During this period, he plans to meet with migrants and may face scrutiny from Vox, the far-right political party in Spain. This visit marks his first major European trip since his election in May 2025.

Pope Francis, his predecessor, never visited Spain, despite its significance in European Catholicism. He preferred focusing on marginalized populations globally and declined various invitations from Spanish leaders. Francis stated he would visit ‘when there is peace,’ but never elaborated whether he referred to national or ecclesiastical tensions.

More than a year after Pope Francis, Pope Leo has commenced his own visit to Spain. This visit occurs amid global conflicts and recent tensions with President Trump. Leo’s agenda includes a meeting with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, a known critic of President Trump on issues like Iran and migration.

Leo’s visit highlights the balancing act of his pontificate. He aims to reconcile with conservatives and nations who felt neglected by Francis. In Madrid, he will deliver the first address by a pope to the Spanish Parliament. The city’s history of dictatorship and current political divisions sets a challenging backdrop.

The Spanish trip also provides an opportunity for Leo to assert himself as a global leader and change advocate. Previously, he stood against the Trump administration and major corporations over artificial intelligence issues. Now, he navigates Spain’s politically charged environment, where any misstep may harm his nascent papacy.