Pope Leo warns Spain’s parliament the world is in ‘profound’ crisis
Pope Leo has warned Spain’s parliament that rising global conflicts, increasing political division, and widespread violations of human rights have pushed the world into a deep crisis, in one of his most wide-ranging political speeches to date on Monday.
The Pope, who has recently taken a firmer stance on global political issues, also reiterated his opposition to increased European military spending, urging leaders instead to focus on ending wars and supporting migrants.
“The world is undergoing a profound spiritual and cultural crisis, which is manifested in multiple forms of violence, polarization, and mutual distrust,” he said in his address, delivered shortly after renewed hostilities between Israel and Iran following a fragile ceasefire.
He added that while weapons may create temporary silence, they cannot deliver lasting peace.
During his visit, Pope Leo also met victims of sexual abuse by clergy and called on bishops to provide reparations to survivors, as the Church continues to confront a long-running abuse scandal that has severely damaged its credibility in Spain.
A 2023 report by Spain’s human rights ombudsman estimated that hundreds of thousands of people may have been affected by clerical abuse over several decades.
Addressing lawmakers in Spanish, the Pope received a standing ovation in what marked the first papal speech to Spain’s parliament. His visit also included meetings with migrants and homeless individuals, where he urged leaders to reduce political divisions and adopt more compassionate policies.
He stressed that neglecting migrants undermines the “ethical foundation of the international order,” calling for long-term solutions that address the root causes of migration, including conflict, poverty, and climate change, rather than simply managing migration flows.
Pope Leo also told parliament that a nation’s moral strength is reflected in how it treats the most vulnerable, particularly those facing hardship.
More than 3,000 migrants died in 2025 while attempting dangerous sea crossings to the Canary Islands, according to NGO Caminando Fronteras.
Meanwhile, Spain’s government has launched a large-scale regularisation programme allowing around 500,000 migrants to apply for legal residency.
The Pope also criticised rising defence spending in Europe, describing it as “troubling,” and called for stricter ethical oversight in the use of artificial intelligence in warfare.
He warned that increased militarisation risks undermining diplomacy, echoing his earlier calls for restraint in European rearmament.
Pope Leo further emphasised the importance of protecting religious freedom and maintaining the confidentiality of confession, warning against efforts in some countries to compel priests to report abuse disclosed in confession.
He described the seal of confession as essential to safeguarding a “sacred space of inner freedom,” allowing believers to express themselves openly before God.
The Vatican said survivors of abuse who met the Pope provided recommendations on how the Church should respond, although some victims criticised their exclusion from the meeting and described the Church’s response as inadequate.
Earlier, Pope Leo had urged bishops to listen to survivors and ensure appropriate reparations are provided.
Source: Reuters
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