MADRID (AP) — In an unprecedented address to Spain’s parliament Monday, Pope Leo XIV urged lawmakers to embrace renewed respect for migrant rights and international law, marking a historic moment of Catholic Church acceptance in the nation’s overwhelmingly secular political landscape.
The American pontiff became the first pope to address Spain’s legislature, emphasizing the need for “moral renewal” in government and public service to protect the inherent worth of all individuals, particularly migrants, the unborn, and society’s most vulnerable members.
“The moral greatness of a nation is manifested, above all, in its capacity to accompany, protect and love those lives that are most fragile,” Leo stated during his speech.
Papal addresses to foreign legislative bodies remain uncommon due to the implications of religious leader recognition by elected officials. Pope Francis spoke to the U.S. Congress in 2015, while Pope Benedict XVI addressed Germany’s Bundestag in 2011.
Leo’s invitation to speak at Las Cortes Generales demonstrated remarkable acceptance of Catholic Church presence in Spain’s political arena — something that would have seemed impossible just years ago. The Church served as a cornerstone of Gen. Francisco Franco’s dictatorship, wielding extensive control over Spanish society until democracy emerged in the 1970s.
Though many Spaniards maintain Catholic identity, religious participation has declined dramatically due to secularization trends affecting other historically Christian nations.
Despite this backdrop, lawmakers across party lines honored Leo with an extended standing ovation, chanting “Viva el Papa!” — “Long live the pope!”
Leo’s remarks occurred amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran through retaliatory attacks threatening to plunge the Middle East into comprehensive regional conflict. The American pope reiterated his call for diplomatic dialogue to settle international disputes.
“Peace demands diplomatic courage, ethical responsibility and a vision for the future grounded in respect for the identity of every people and in the obligation of states to resolve their disputes through the peaceful means offered by international law,” he declared.
He expressed concern over growing European defense spending as nations prepare to counter Russian threats following the Ukraine war and potential reduced American financial and military assistance under the Trump administration.
“It is therefore a cause for concern that, in various parts of the world — and in Europe as well — rearmament is once again being presented as an almost inevitable response to the fragility of the international situation,” he observed.
The pope renewed his call for “rigorous ethical oversight” of artificial intelligence-powered automated weapons systems “so that decisions regarding life and death are never left to automated systems nor removed from the moral responsibility of the human person.”
Leo referenced the 16th century Spanish intellectual movement known as the School of Salamanca, which established foundations for international law and inherent human rights following Spain’s colonial expansion in the Americas.
He commended the theologians who “understood that reason could not be invoked to legitimize whatever force or self-interest that seemed convenient” and recognized “moral limits of power.”
“It must be acknowledged that society and the church herself did not always live up to these insights found in their own Christian tradition,” Leo acknowledged.
This statement addressed the Catholic Church’s historical involvement in the trans-Atlantic slave trade and colonial conquest, referencing Leo’s recent apology for the Holy See’s role in legitimizing slavery and Spanish and Portuguese colonial expansion in the Americas.
Regarding contemporary human trafficking, Leo advocated for enhanced international cooperation to combat migrant smuggling while creating conditions allowing people to remain in their homelands.
For those fleeing conflict, poverty, and climate change, he emphasized the importance of welcome and integration. Pope Francis prioritized refugee issues reaching Europe during his papacy, and Leo has continued this focus, particularly defending migrant dignity in his native United States during the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement.
“This gives rise to a twofold demand for social justice: to offer safe and legal pathways, a respectful welcome and real opportunities for integration; and, at the same time, to promote the right to remain in one’s own land, working to ensure that no one has to leave their home due to a lack of peace, security or decent living conditions, including economic inequalities and the effects of the climate crisis,” he explained.
Spain’s Socialist-led government has opposed prevailing European and American immigration trends by supporting immigration for economic and humanitarian reasons, initiating legalization efforts this year for hundreds of thousands of unauthorized immigrants living and working in the country. Sánchez has emphasized legal migration benefits for Spain’s economy, which faces an aging workforce and declining birth rates.
Leo’s visit occurs during a challenging period for Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Sánchez’s Socialist Party faces multiple corruption scandals, though none directly involve him personally. Investigations opened last month into a former Socialist Spanish prime minister for alleged influence peddling and other crimes connected to a government airline bailout. Additional probes have affected some of Sánchez’s closest advisors, as well as his wife and brother.
These developments unfold as Spain experiences increasing political polarization, with citizens unable to agree on common solutions. Sánchez’s leftist minority government has struggled to pass legislation, including budgets for the past three years.
Leo, apparently referencing Spain’s polarization, cautioned: “political pluralism should not degenerate into the constant disparagement of one’s adversary.”
Beyond migration issues, Spain’s progressive leader, who is an atheist, and the American pontiff align on major global political matters. Last month, following a Vatican meeting with Leo, Sánchez praised Leo as a “moral compass.”
Sánchez has emerged as Europe’s strongest critic of U.S. and Israeli military actions in Iran, Gaza, and Lebanon, while Leo has condemned strikes on Iran as “unjust.”
The Spanish leader has consistently advocated for dialogue and diplomatic negotiation to resolve conflicts, which Leo echoed. “Weapons may impose a temporary silence; but they can never build a genuine and lasting peace,” Leo stated.
This alignment proves significant given the Catholic Church in Spain has traditionally maintained closer ties with the conservative Popular Party rather than leftist parties that have championed social issues including same-sex marriage, abortion rights, and euthanasia.
