Key Facts

• Pope Leo XIV warned of a deep spiritual and cultural crisis worldwide, shown by violence, division, and mistrust.
• He said peace requires diplomatic courage, ethical responsibility, and respect for international law instead of relying on weapons.
• The pope criticized rearmament and said true security comes from justice, dialogue, and valuing human lives over war profits.
• Migration was a central topic; the pope urged countries to welcome and protect migrants and create safe legal routes.
• He stressed solving the root causes of migration like lack of peace, poor living conditions, inequality, and climate change.
• The speech was the first time a pope addressed the Spanish parliament and included a call to respect the equal dignity of all humans.
• The pope's visit coincides with Spain’s government formalizing the status of over 500,000 undocumented migrants and asylum seekers.
• Some political groups in Spain oppose migration policies, favoring natives over immigrants in housing and benefits.