Cardinal Parolin: Pope in Spain to foster communion and encounter

By Massimiliano Menichetti

Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Spain for his fourth international journey, taking him to Madrid, Barcelona, Montserrat and the Canary Islands. Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin explains its significance to Vatican News.

Your Eminence, what is the principal message that the Holy Father wishes to bring to Spain during his fourth international Apostolic Journey?

The logo of the Apostolic Journey to Spain—an open circle formed by human figures united with one another and oriented upwards—already reveals the Holy Father’s intention. As the Pastor of the Catholic Church, he wishes to meet his flock, but also all people of goodwill. With everyone, he seeks to encourage, promote and strengthen, ever more deeply, communion and encounter. This unfolds in a twofold movement: within the Church and within society.

It is not simply a matter of being together, but of walking together toward a common destination. We should also emphasise the unique gift that the Church longs to offer humanity: the invitation to welcome the answers that Jesus Christ gives to the profound questions every human being asks about the meaning of life, death and suffering. Christ offers us the possibility of attaining that fullness of humanity which we Christians call eternal life. This, in turn, becomes the source of the hope and joy with which the Holy Father seeks to serve humanity and encourage Christians.

Pope Leo XIV will meet with the Spanish Parliament. What are the Holy See’s diplomatic priorities today in its dialogue with Mediterranean Europe?

Lawmakers should always take as their fundamental point of reference the dignity of the human person and the common good when drafting legislation and shaping the kind of society they wish to build. The Mediterranean region, with its millennial tradition of culture, art and values, also represents an important point of reference for Christianity.

In its dialogue with Mediterranean Europe, the Holy See supports a compassionate and coordinated approach to migration, emphasising the inherent dignity of every migrant. Its position is grounded in four fundamental principles: welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating migrants and refugees.

As for demographic trends, the northern shore of the Mediterranean, unlike the southern shore, is experiencing a dramatic decline in birth rates. Addressing this crisis requires placing at the centre the fundamental dignity of every person and the role of the family within society.

The question of regional independence movements has also had repercussions within local ecclesial communities. How can the Church—and what message might the Pope bring during his visit to Spain—avoid polarisation and promote communion?

As Catholics, we believe that “the Church is in Christ like a sacrament or as a sign and instrument both of a very closely knit union with God and of the unity of the whole human race” (Lumen Gentium, 1), and that the Pope, “as the successor of Peter, is the perpetual and visible principle and foundation of unity both of the bishops and of the faithful” (Lumen Gentium, 23). It therefore belongs to his very nature to promote the unity of the Church and unity within the Church.

As Father and Shepherd, he is concerned for the unity of his children and of his flock. At the same time, he promotes the mission entrusted to the whole Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, namely, to foster communion and unity in diversity among the peoples of the earth.

While the Holy Father’s message can never depart from his mission of unity and therefore of peace, neither does it seek to replace the responsibilities that belong to States in governing their citizens. From this principle it follows that, although the Pope’s message may have political implications—precisely because the Catholic Church is composed of the citizens of nations—the Successor of Peter proclaims the Gospel and seeks, from that perspective, to illuminate every aspect of human life without intervening in the internal politics of countries.

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The prayer vigil with young people in Madrid is one of the central events of the journey. In a country experiencing growing secularization, what change can younger generations bring, and how?

To answer this question, I would like to recall what the Holy Father told the many young people gathered for the Jubilee Vigil at Tor Vergata, in Rome, on 2 August. He encouraged them to be passionate in seeking the truth, courageous in allowing themselves to encounter Christ, and generous in living the Gospel concretely.

The world in which we live pushes them to do many things, often in a hyperactive and fragmented way. At the same time, it tempts them to entrust thinking, evaluating and deciding—according to an outdated scientistic mindset—to artificial tools that can at times be easily manipulated.

Young people can respond by choosing and promoting a different and freer way of living. By making room for silence, reflection, meditation and prayer, they can use with enthusiasm, wisdom and rightly ordered charity the many tools at their disposal, and which they know how to use so well, for the good of every person and of the whole person.

Young people are capable of this; indeed, they are especially inclined toward it. It is important to help them, through faith, to deepen and live these values, so they become prophets of peace, justice and authentic love for their future and ours.

In Barcelona, the Mass at the Sagrada Família and the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ will be among the most symbolically significant moments. Can this event be seen as an encouragement to reveal the beauty of the Gospel to Spain and beyond?

Certainly. By blessing the Tower of Jesus Christ, the Holy Father will mark an important milestone in the construction of the Basilica of the Sagrada Família. This architectural element demonstrates that the Church is a living construction site of “living stones,” continually growing throughout history.

The height of the tower invites everyone to lift their eyes toward God, who in the sign of the Cross reveals His love for humanity. As a beacon of redemption and hope, this structure is therefore itself an act of evangelisation. Its beauty reflects the centrality of Christ in the life of the Church.

The new tower brings to completion the vision of Gaudí, its architect, who was profoundly inspired by faith. He understood art above all as a form of proclaiming the Gospel and as a privileged language of the Church’s mission. In this work, Spain finds not only a magnificent monument that enriches its cultural heritage, but also a testimony to the faith that united the nation for centuries.

The Canary Islands leg of the journey focuses particularly on migration and integration. In your view, is the world moving toward greater welcome, or is it increasingly “looking the other way”?

The vast majority of people do not migrate across borders; a much larger number migrate within their own countries. Moreover, international migration is not uniform throughout the world, but is influenced by economic, geographical and demographic factors.

Migration supports labour markets and helps address skills shortages. Through remittances, migrants also remain a fundamental source of support for their countries of origin.

Concerning welcome, there is a widespread tendency today to focus solely on the interests of limited communities. As Pope Leo XIV has emphasised, this represents a serious threat to the sharing of responsibility, multilateral cooperation, the pursuit of the common good and global solidarity for the benefit of the entire human family.

In this context, the Holy See consistently upholds the inalienable dignity of every person. It is important to remember that every migrant is a human being and, as such, possesses inalienable rights that must be respected in all circumstances, both in his or her homeland and wherever he or she may move.

Such a complex phenomenon must be addressed with political will, generosity and a spirit of solidarity. The hope is for a renewed, firm commitment to fraternity, grounded in empathy and cooperation, which opens the path to encounter and mutual enrichment.

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In your view, what face does Spain present today, and what role could it play in Europe?

Spain today bears the face of a people that still preserves deep Christian roots, demonstrating a strong bond and sincere affection for the Successor of Peter. Despite the challenges of contemporary society, it is home to a living and dynamic Church, capable of bearing witness to the Gospel and making a significant contribution to the spiritual and social life of the country.

Spanish society is experiencing profound tensions and transformations, yet it continues to seek paths of encounter, reconciliation and the common good. It needs to rediscover the centrality of the human person, social dialogue and reconciliation as foundations of democratic coexistence.

As for the contribution Spain can make to Europe and the wider world, I would highlight its support for multilateralism and its promotion of human rights, peace and international security. It can also serve as a bridge for dialogue with the countries of Latin America and North Africa.