Pope Leo XIV told the Spanish parliament on Monday that the world is living in a profound crisis [1].
The address marks a historic moment as the first papal speech delivered to the Spanish Congress of Deputies. It signals the Vatican's intent to challenge rising global military spending and political polarization through direct engagement with European legislative bodies.
The Pope's remarks were part of a six-day visit to Spain [4] that began on June 6. During the trip, the pontiff met with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Madrid and encountered hundreds of thousands of youth [5].
In a speech lasting seven minutes [3], Pope Leo XIV urged lawmakers to prioritize international law and diplomatic solutions over the escalation of war. He specifically highlighted the necessity of protecting human rights, and showing respect for migrants [1, 2].
"We are living in a profound crisis," the Pope said [1].
He focused his message on the obligation of states to resolve disputes through peaceful means offered by international law [2]. The pontiff warned that current global trends toward polarization and conflict threaten the common good. He called for an end to division, and a renewed commitment to cooperation [1].
Throughout the visit, the Pope emphasized that the adherence to international law is not optional but a requirement for global stability. He opposed the trend of increasing military budgets, suggesting that such spending often comes at the expense of the most vulnerable populations [1, 2].
"We must stop dividing and work together for the common good," the Pope said [1].
His visit to Madrid concluded with a series of meetings with civic leaders and royalty, reinforcing the Vatican's diplomatic presence in Southern Europe [5].
“"We are living in a profound crisis."”
This visit represents a strategic effort by the Vatican to pivot from purely religious diplomacy toward a more explicit critique of geopolitical military spending and nationalist polarization. By addressing the Spanish parliament directly, Pope Leo XIV is attempting to leverage the moral authority of the papacy to influence European policy on migration and international law during a period of heightened global instability.
