JUNE 8, 2026
Pope Leo XIV addresses Spanish parliament, urging migrant dignity, peace, and political renewal
Pope Leo XIV delivered the first papal address to Spain's Cortes Generales on Monday, June 8, calling for respect for migrants' rights, international law, and dialogue to resolve conflicts. The speech came as Israel and Iran traded strikes in what sources described as the worst escalation since a recent truce. Lawmakers from across the political spectrum gave Leo a minutes-long standing ovation with chants of "Viva el Papa!" at the conclusion of his remarks.
Pope Leo XIV addressed Spain's parliament on Monday in an address that touched on migration, armed conflict, political polarization, artificial intelligence, and the history of colonialism and slavery. The speech marked the first time a pontiff has spoken before the Cortes Generales, an occasion all three sources described as historically significant given the Catholic Church's complicated legacy in Spain following its role as a pillar of Gen. Francisco Franco's dictatorship.
On war and diplomacy, Leo said that "every war constitutes, ultimately, a painful defeat of the capacity to negotiate." He called on states to resolve disputes "through the peaceful means offered by international law" and said that "weapons may impose a temporary silence; but they can never build a genuine and lasting peace." His remarks came on a day when Israel and Iran exchanged strikes that sources said threatened to return the region to full-scale conflict.
On migration, Leo articulated what he called a "twofold demand for social justice": providing safe and legal pathways for those fleeing conflict, poverty, and climate change, while also working to ensure no one is forced to leave home due to instability or economic inequality. He said the "inviolable dignity" of every person must guide legal systems, explicitly including migrants.