Answering questions from journalists in Castel Gandolfo, the Pope returned to his recent apostolic trip to Spain. He said he was “extremely happy” with the welcome given to him by the population. Regarding the issue of migrants, the Sovereign Pontiff urged to treat “each person with respect”. The Bishop of Rome also announced that a new appeal will be launched to the Lefebvrists: “The division within the Church is always a pain,” he declared.
Salvatore Cernuzio – Vatican City
The results of his recent trip to Spain, of which he is “extreme content“, and an appeal concerning migrants and their return to the country: (“Saying “let’s send them away, just to get rid of them†, doesn’t seem like a Christian response to me.“), echoing comments already made in the Canary Islands; these were the questions addressed by Leo XIV when he left the Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo. The Pope also looked at current events: that of the Church with the question of the Lefebvrists, in view of the next episcopal ordinations announced for the month of July, which would cause a schism. The news concerning the recent agreement between the United States and Iran was also discussed, with a reflection tinged with hope. The Pope hopes that this agreement will truly be “a solution to the war that,he arguedreally must end“, so “that we can move forward for the good of all».
At Castel Gandolfo, where a strong wind was blowing and where it threatened to rain this Tuesday evening, June 16, Pope Leo sang hymns to the Virgin Mary. After crossing the iron gate, the Pope went towards the journalists to answer their questions, starting with those from the Spanish media prepared for the press conference planned for the return flight from Tenerife, which could not take place due to the technical breakdown which forced the Sovereign Pontiff to return in Rome with the Falcon made available by the King of Spain Felipe VI.
The “wonderful” travels to Spain
The days spent on Iberian soil, from Madrid to Barcelona via the Canary Islands, and in particular “the enthusiastic welcome of so many people everywhere», was spoken by Léon XIV: «The truth is it’s been wonderful». «Every moment –a–he said in Spanish– was well prepared. It must also be said that the bishops, with many lay people and many volunteers, worked everywhere to prepare everything, and it was wonderfulHAS”. From what he was able to observe, Leo XIV feels able to affirm that the people were “very happy».
The political leaders were also, with these 8 minutes of applause in the Spanish Parliament. Politics is going through a difficult period, observes a journalist: “I do not want to interfere in Spanish politics, any more than in that of other countries, but I call for dialogue, for mutual listening, and not always to criticize and insult the opposition without reaching agreements for the common good“, replied the Sovereign Pontiff. He then reiterated the call already made to Congress for respect for the “human dignityand abouteach person»: «I hope it won’t take too long».
The call for migrants: “Treat everyone with respect”
In the same spirit, the Pope then returned to the question of migrants, a theme addressed several times during his trip, notably to Gran Canaria and Tenerife, after the entry into force of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. Leo XIV appealed here too to “respect for the person»: «Often, we do not know the reasons why these people had to leave their country. There are so many reasons: violence, war, conflicts. And so, simply saying “let’s send them back, to get rid of them†, does not seem to me to be the most Christian response. You really have to respect peopleinsisted the Sovereign Pontiff,examine each case, and above all treat people with respect, as people».
Hopes for peace
LeoMémorandum d’Islamabad“, concluded following Pakistani mediation: “Negotiations, thank God… there is at least this memorandum that they will officially sign on Friday as announced“, commented the Pope. HAS”There will still be several points to resolve, but it is always better to do so through dialogue, through negotiation, and not by returning to war..”The wish is that “this is truly a solution to the war, that the war is truly over and that we can move forward for the good of all. Eliminate nuclear weapons, yes, seek the good of all peoples, seek to resolve the problems, including on the economic and social level, which have been created in this period».
Pain over divisions within the Church
A question was also asked of the Pope about the Society of Saint Pius On this subject, the Sovereign Pontiff recalled the contacts between the dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Fraternity: “We are still considering launching a new appeal, to tell them: “Don’t do this, let’s try to live communion within the Church†. But it’s their choice. We must become aware of what this means for them and for the Church. Certainly, the division between Christians is always a painful subject, but they refuse to accept certain fundamental elements of the Church, starting with various points of the Second Vatican Council. Making this choice saddens me, but we must move forward», declared Lion XIV.
Vacations and future trips
Finally, a final, more personal question was asked: when will his summer vacation begin and how will he spend it? The Pope responded: “A little rest, a lot of reading, reflection, preparation for what comes next. There is always work too…HAS”. But will he rest? HAS”Let’s hope so!“, which is also the response to possible trips to Mexico and Peru, the country where he was a missionary for more than twenty years. Smiling, the Pope declared: “We’ll see».
