Pope Leo Tours Spain in First Papal Visit in 15 Years
Pope Leo is on a tour of Spain from June 6 to 12. It is his first visit to an EU country outside Italy.
It is also the first papal visit to Spain in 15 years. The tour covers Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands.
In his opening speech Pope Leo urged leaders to seek unity. He said leaders should not divide people for political gain.
He also called on leaders to fight for peace. Pope Leo made people on the margins of society a focus of his visit.
He met homeless people in Madrid and migrants in the Canary Islands. He also plans to speak about political division. He wants to show the Catholic Church as a supporter of migrants and asylum seekers.
Klear Note — The Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church worldwide. Papal visits to countries are major religious and diplomatic events.
Key Terms 3
- EU European Union — a group of 27 European countries
- asylum seekers People who flee their country and ask another for safety
- papal Relating to the Pope or the Catholic Church's leader