Pope criticises ‘constant disparagement’ in politics during Madrid visit

MADRID – European democracies must not “degenerate into a permanent disparagement of opponents”, Pope Leo XIV told Spanish MPs on Monday, ending a trip where he has often appeared to sympathise with the policies of Pedro Sánchez.

The pontiff called on politicians to seek the “common good” of society, while urging a return to dialogue at the international level amid widespread conflict.

Speaking at Spain’s Congress of Deputies before Sánchez, the prime minister, and opposition leaders, the Pope called for political “reconciliation” to avoid “polarising narratives”.

“Within societies themselves, there is an urgent need to foster a culture of reciprocity. Political pluralism should not degenerate into a permanent disparagement of opponents,” he said.

The head of the Roman Catholic Church warned that “public action runs the risk of fragmenting into partial interests, incapable of safeguarding that which belongs to all.”

During the speech on the final day of his three-day visit to Madrid, he also addressed traditional Catholic concerns over the “defence of life”.

However, he also apparently backed Sánchez’s controversial amnesty for irregular migrants, urging “safe and legal pathways” for immigration as well as a “respectful welcome and real opportunities for integration”.

Before heading to Congress, the Pope briefly met Sánchez, and both shared a “commitment to defending the value of migration and the rights of all people,” according to a tweet posted by the prime minister.

The Pope’s speeches, widely read in Spain, included a discourse at the Royal Palace on Saturday, which urged against “identity-based approaches that fill the world with ghosts and enemies”. The remarks have been interpreted as criticism of radical nationalist parties, such as the Spanish far-right party Vox.

In criticism of Donald Trump and appearing to echo Sánchez‘s defence of multilateralism, the Pope stressed the need “to resolve disputes through the peaceful means offered by international law”.

“Spain will continue to champion dialogue, multilateralism, and understanding among peoples,” Sánchez said.

Sánchez’s defence of “multilateralism” and international law regarding Gaza, Venezuela, and, more recently, Iran, has brought him into direct conflict with Trump, who called Spain “a terrible ally”.

The Spanish press has described the Pope’s trip and comments as a shield for Sánchez, who is under heavy domestic pressure due to legislative deadlock and numerous corruption cases plaguing his government and inner circle.

“Sánchez is hiding behind the Pope to escape corruption,” said the Spanish daily ABC, traditionally more critical of the prime minister.

Meanwhile, the online newspaper El Independiente described the Pope’s visit to Spain as “a lifeline for the government”, whilst El País framed the visit as “uncomfortable” for Spain’s conservative opposition due to what the newspaper sees as the Pope’s “sync” with the government.

(bw)