Pope Leo XIV has warned that the world is facing “a deep spiritual and cultural crisis” during a speech to the Spanish parliament, urging the international community to address the causes and effects of what he called “the tragic drama of migration.”
In a wide-ranging address to lawmakers in Madrid, the pope also discussed conflict, artificial intelligence, the climate emergency, and the issues of abortion and euthanasia.
“The world is undergoing a deep spiritual and cultural crisis, which shows itself in many forms of violence, division, and mutual distrust,” he said. “In this context, peace is not just a political goal but a true moral necessity.”
The pope told politicians on Monday that the pursuit of peace would require “diplomatic courage, ethical responsibility,” and a commitment to solving problems through international law rather than relying on “the temporary silence” brought by weapons.
He added, “That is why it is concerning that in various parts of the world – including Europe – rearmament is once again being presented as an almost inevitable response to the instability of the international landscape. True security, on the other hand, comes from justice, patient dialogue, respect for international law, and policies that prioritize people’s lives over the interests that profit from war.”
Much of his speech, the first by a pope to the Spanish parliament, focused on migration. Leo plans to highlight this issue during his week-long visit to Spain, which includes meetings in the Canary Islands with people who have taken the dangerous Atlantic route from Africa to Europe.
The pope, the first from the United States, has already clashed with the Trump administration over its war in Iran and its treatment of migrants. His visit to Spain comes as the country’s socialist-led government is going against European trends by regularizing the status of more than 500,000 undocumented migrants and asylum seekers.
Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain’s far-right Vox party, has criticized the regularization plan as part of a government effort to speed up an immigrant “invasion.” Last year, Vox suggested deporting up to 8 million people of foreign origin, including the children of immigrants. The party is now pushing for a “national priority” policy that favors Spaniards over foreign-born people in housing and benefits in the regions where it governs alongside the conservative People’s Party.
Leo told Spanish MPs and senators that countries have a moral duty to welcome and protect migrants. He said, “The tragic drama of migration challenges the conscience of nations and the ethical foundation of the international order. Many men, women, and children are forced, often by harsh circumstances, to leave their communities and abandon loved ones, their histories, and their connections.”
He added that the “universal principle of the equal dignity of all human beings” is violated if people face discrimination “because of their national, ethnic, religious, or linguistic origin, or because of their economic or social status.”
Leo called for creating “safe and legal pathways” and “real opportunities for integration.” He also urged the international community to address the root causes of migration by working to ensure “that no one has to leave their home because of a lack of peace, security, or decent living conditions, because of economic inequalities, or because of the effects of the climate crisis.”
The pope’s address was met with a seven-minute standing ovation.The pope also took a moment to firmly remind his audience of the Church’s teaching on the sacredness of human life.
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The pope’s speech was met with a seven-minute standing ovation. Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters
“All human life must be recognized and protected from conception to natural death, in every situation it exists,” said Leo. “When this certainty is lost, the most vulnerable become the first to suffer, and the law loses its deepest purpose: to serve and protect every person. Therefore, a nation’s moral greatness is shown, above all, in its ability to support, protect, and love the most fragile lives.”
Abortion was decriminalized in Spain in 1985, and the law was relaxed in 2010 to allow women to have a termination up to 14 weeks into pregnancy. A euthanasia law was introduced in 2021.
Later on Monday, the pope is scheduled to meet with survivors of sexual abuse by members of the Roman Catholic clergy. Speaking to Spanish bishops before the meeting, he called the abuse “a scourge” and said the Church needed to respond “with listening, with truth, with justice, and with reparation.”
However, some groups representing victims of sexual abuse have complained about being left out of meetings with Leo.
“We don’t want a photo with the pope – we want rights and reparations for all victims,” a coalition of these groups said in a joint statement. “Excluding survivors and groups that have worked for years for truth, justice, and reparation only deepens the feeling of abandonment and exhaustion caused by a neglect that has gone on for too long.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the Popes speech in Spain about a global spiritual and cultural crisis
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What did the Pope say in his speech in Spain
He warned that the world is facing a serious spiritual and cultural crisis He said people are losing their connection to faith tradition and moral values which leads to confusion and emptiness
2 Why did he give this warning in Spain
Spain is a historically Catholic country but like many places in Europe it has seen a sharp decline in religious practice The Pope used the visit to remind people of their roots and to call for a revival of faith
3 What exactly is a spiritual crisis
It means people feel lost empty or without purpose They may have material wealth but feel a deep sense of loneliness or lack of meaning in life Its a crisis of the soul not of money or health
4 What is a cultural crisis
This refers to a breakdown in shared values traditions and common understanding For example when people disagree on basic ideas like truth family or human dignity society becomes unstable and divided
5 Is the Pope talking about politics or religion
He is talking about both He believes that when faith and moral values weaken it affects how people treat each other how they vote and how they build families and communities Its a warning about the foundations of society
IntermediateLevel Questions
6 What specific problems did the Pope point to as signs of this crisis
He mentioned rising individualism a loss of a sense of community a rejection of history and tradition and a throwaway culture where the elderly sick and unborn are discarded
7 Did the Pope mention any solutions
Yes He urged people to return to prayer to rediscover their faith and to build strong families He also called for a courageous witness to Christian values in public life
8 How does this speech connect to the Popes other messages
Its very consistent Pope Francis often warns against a globalized indifference and a culture of waste This speech in Spain is a specific example of his broader concern about the loss of human dignity and spiritual depth in modern society
