Pope Leo calls for end to ‘polarising narratives’ during Spain visit

Key points

• Pope Leo XIV on Saturday (June 6, 2026) called for an end to "polarising narratives" and "sterile simplifications" on a visit to Spain expected to focus on the divisive issue of immigration.
• Pope Leo also thanked Spain, whose Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has clashed with U.S. President Donald Trump over Iran and with Israel over the war in Gaza, for its "faithful adherence to international law and multilateralism".
• Speaking at the royal palace in Madrid, where he was received by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, he praised Spain's "active commitment to peace and solidarity among peoples".
• The U.S.-born pontiff himself has been harshly criticised by Mr. Trump for his anti-war views.
• He said the message of peace "at present unfortunately strikes some as naive and others as confrontational" but should instead be "welcomed by those who do not shut themselves off in preconceived ideologies".