Pope Leo XIV visits Spain, urging unity in the digital age

Pope Leo XIV, the 70‑year‑old pontiff, made his first visit to Spain, stopping in Madrid before travelling to Barcelona and the Montserrat monastery. In his opening address he warned against building a modern “Tower of Babel” in the digital era and called for a collective rebuilding of communities, invoking the biblical example of Nehemiah. The Pope’s new encyclical outlines sixteen points that stress human dignity, the need for technology to serve the common good, and the responsibility of private actors who now wield more influence than many governments.

He also addressed growing polarization, urging reconciliation among Catholics and highlighting the importance of using regional languages, noting he could say “bon dia” in Catalan. The visit is framed as a message to the faithful to balance freedom, responsibility, and solidarity while confronting contemporary challenges such as the dominance of private tech and societal fragmentation.