Pope in Madrid: Tear down walls that divide and become builders of peace

As part of his Apostolic Journey to Spain, and in particular, whilst in Madrid at the beginning of his journey, Pope Leo visited the capital’s Cathedral of Holy Mary of Almudena for a prayer service and act of devotion to the Patroness of the Archdiocese of Madrid.

The cathedral is home to the revered image of Our Lady of Almudena, whose devotion dates back centuries and is deeply rooted in the history and spiritual life of the Spanish capital. 

Addressing the faithful gathered in the cathedral on Monday evening, Pope Leo reflected on the traditional account according to which the image of the Virgin Mary was hidden within the walls of Madrid’s ancient citadel during a period of persecution and was later rediscovered, intact, after part of the wall collapsed.

A lesson from a collapsed wall

The Pope noted that the reunion between the Mother and her people became possible precisely because a wall had fallen. Describing the event as providential, he said it points to the path that Christ, through His Mother, continues to indicate to believers today.

While the collapse of a wall can initially create confusion and disorder, he explained, it can also open up new possibilities and create the conditions for renewal.

Pope Leo then turned to contemporary society, observing that many walls still exist that do not protect, but instead “divide, separate and isolate”. Often, he said, people prefer to maintain such barriers or simply ignore them because they fear confronting situations they would rather avoid.

Building something new

The message of Our Lady of Almudena, the Pope continued, is that “to build something new, beautiful and lasting, we must be willing to tear down walls” as doing so creates the space needed to look beyond immediate difficulties and move forward together.

The Pope then encouraged the faithful to remain steadfast in their witness of faith, charity and hope. He urged them to persevere in faith so as to contemplate the Father’s loving plan, in charity so as to live as one family of brothers and sisters, and in hope so as to continue their mission in the world. Confident that the Lord walks alongside His people and welcomes every effort made for the good, he said, Christians are called to contribute to a society marked by communion rather than division.

Witnesses of communion

Bringing his address to a close, the Pope Invoked the example and intercession of Our Lady of Almudena, whom he described as the Virgin of the Magnificat, and he prayed that the faithful would be strengthened in their love for Christ and for the Church.

In this way, he said, they can help “form bonds and restore the universal language of communion, fraternal love and harmony”.

Finally, the Pope entrusted the faithful to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin and prayed that she would help them become “builders of peace and reconciliation”.