Pope Leo XIV begins mass in Catalan in Barcelona Cathedral: "Estimats germans i germanes..."

Pope Leo XIV began his visit to Barcelona this Tuesday with an event at the cathedral, where he was received by a large presence of faithful who filled the temple to hear his message.

During his speech, the pontiff began his words in Catalan, in a gesture directed at the local attendees: “Estimats germans i germanes, amb gran goig començo la meva recent visita d’aquestes hores en aquesta catedral amb tots vosaltres” (Dear brothers and sisters, with great joy I begin my recent visit of these hours in this cathedral with all of you).

Next, the Pope recalled the meaning of the liturgy according to the Second Vatican Council, emphasizing the spiritual dimension of prayer in the life of the Church, already in Spanish: “El Concilio Vaticano II define el oficio divino como la voz de la propia esposa que habla al esposo y la oración de Cristo con su cuerpo al Padre” (The Second Vatican Council defines the divine office as the voice of the bride herself speaking to the groom and the prayer of Christ with his body to the Father).

The event was part of the pontiff's official agenda in Barcelona, on a day marked by closeness to the faithful and messages focused on spirituality and ecclesiastical tradition. “Catalans, you have the vocation and responsibility to become builders of unity,” the pontiff affirmed during his intervention in the Gothic temple, in a speech marked by a call for coexistence and cohesion.

The Pope thus began a two-day stay in the region, which includes a program of events in emblematic places such as the Montserrat Abbey and the Sagrada Familia, among other highlights of his agenda.