Pope Leo XIV’s Barcelona visit spurs viral photo of blessed infant

AP photographer Emilio Morenatti captured a rare moment during Pope Leo XIV’s popemobile procession through Barcelona when the pontiff stopped to bless a newborn named Gaudí. The boy’s parents, Montse Martínez and her husband, had prayed for nine consecutive days before the visit, hoping to obtain tickets. Security lifted the baby to the Pope, who held the child’s hands while smiling.

Morenatti broke the usual photographer’s constraints, slipping past the security cordon and climbing onto a chair to get a clear shot. He posted the image on X, where it amassed over half a million views. The viral response prompted the Barcelona church and local media to help locate the family. Using ChatGPT, the parents identified Morenatti and contacted him via Instagram, leading to a phone conversation and plans to receive a printed copy of the photograph for their home near Barcelona. Martínez believes the image will strengthen the faith of their five children and may even be noted in a future canonisation file for Antoni Gaudí.