Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Spain once again brought the country’s deep divisions around religion, migration, and politics into the spotlight. Towards the end of the visit, the far-right Vox Party, which would normally be expected to warmly welcome the pope, became one of the political actors most unsettled by his message.
Represented by party leader Santiago Abascal, Vox presents Catholicism as a fundamental element of Spanish identity. However, Pope Leo’s speeches clearly revealed the tension between the Church’s teachings on migrants, war, and human dignity and this political stance.
The speech in Madrid directly addressed the migration debate
Pope Leo’s address to the Spanish parliament did not align with the tone of policies advocated by Abascal. Referring to the Salamanca School of the 16th century, which defended the rights and dignity of indigenous peoples, the Pope reminded that power should be measured by how it treats the most vulnerable.
At a time when immigration debates in Spain have become increasingly heated, this historical reference was interpreted as a critique of power and politics. The Pope’s words were seen as an indirect objection to the far-right, which is particularly known for its anti-immigration rhetoric.
Vox’s recent calls for mass deportations under the name "re-migration" also stood out in this context. The party supports an approach targeting not only undocumented migrants but also some migrant children and individuals born in Spain, accusing these groups of abusing welfare benefits and demanding strict policies against them.
Visit to Gran Canaria focused on the humanitarian crisis along the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes
Pope Leo also traveled to the island of Gran Canaria to meet people risking their lives on the Atlantic migration route from Africa to Europe. According to the International Organization for Migration, at least 1,214 people died or went missing on the Canary Islands route last year; civil society organizations estimate the number to be higher.
This visit reinforced the Pope’s determination to highlight the plight of refugees and migrants. This stance had also caused disagreements with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump; the text emphasizes the contrast between the Pope’s position and that of the administration admired by Abascal.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, meanwhile, welcomed the Pope’s visit positively, noting his government’s recent path to regularize the status of at least 500,000 undocumented migrants and asylum seekers.
Spain’s changing religious landscape is also influencing politics
Spain is no longer as Catholic as it was a generation ago. According to official public opinion surveys, about 68% of the population identified as Catholic ten years ago, but this figure dropped to 52.8% by spring 2025; the rate of regular churchgoers remained at 17.3%.
However, a notable transformation is occurring among younger generations. According to Fundacion SM’s 2026 research, the proportion of young Spaniards identifying as Catholic rose from approximately 31.6% to 45% over five years, a trend that coincided with a rightward shift among young voters.
The Pope’s statement at an open-air mass in Madrid attended by over a million people—"No one can kneel before the Lord and despise their brother"—was seen as a direct message addressing this new political-religious landscape.
Vox tried to soften the Pope’s message
After the Pope’s speech in parliament, Abascal argued that the words expected from religious leaders should be separated from practical politics. However, the party could not hide that the papal message drew clear boundaries on migration, human dignity, and the instrumentalization of the Church in politics.
Pope Leo also opposed attacks on Spanish bishops for supporting the government’s migrant amnesty, stating that the Church should not be used for political purposes. This warning was interpreted as a clear distance from Vox’s attempt to incorporate Catholic rhetoric into its political agenda.
The visit may also have implications for next year’s general elections. Vox is strengthening its regional alliances with the conservative People’s Party in regions such as Extremadura, Aragon, and Castilla y Leon, hoping to extend this partnership to national power.
Migration and the Palestine war aligned on the same line
Pope Leo and Sanchez also aligned on migration and the Iran-related dimension of the US-Israel war. The Pope described the war as "unjust," while Sanchez called it "illegal."
Still, the text emphasizes that this alignment does not amount to a full political alliance with the socialist government. The Catholic Church is said to pursue a longer-term and more cautious policy, also trying to protect its future on migration as the global center of Christianity shifts southward.
On the other hand, the Church remains closer to Vox than to socialists on fundamental ethical issues such as abortion and family. Therefore, the Pope’s message kept alive the question of how closely Catholic voters will align with different political lines, rather than signaling a short-term political alliance in Spain.
