MADRID — Pope Leo called on global leaders to stop dividing their electorates with “sterile simplifications,” urging them instead to listen to global calls for peace as he began a week-long visit to Spain that includes meetings with migrants and large gatherings of young people.

In a speech delivered before King Felipe VI at the Royal Palace in Madrid, the Pope warned against rising polarization in politics and society.

“Today, the temptation to gain popularity by fanning the flames of polarization seems to have grown rather than diminished, and human dignity continues to be violated,” Pope Leo said.

“I invite everyone to set aside the divisive and polarizing narratives of your societal reality and history, so as to overcome sterile simplifications through the fruitful appreciation of complexity,” he added.

Pope Leo also said technology has contributed to the spread of prejudice and weakened critical thinking.

The Pope, who has previously criticized anti-immigration policies in the United States and the Iran war, began his visit by touring a Church-run homeless shelter in Madrid. He is also scheduled to meet migrants in the Canary Islands during the five-stop trip.

Before arriving in Spain, he said he hoped the visit would highlight respect for human dignity.

“Today, the temptation to gain popularity by fanning the flames of polarization seems to have grown rather than diminished, and human dignity continues to be violated,” he said in an earlier statement.

Large crowds gathered in Madrid for the visit, the first papal trip to Spain since 2011, with hundreds of thousands lining the streets and others attending a vigil.

The Pope addressed an estimated 600,000 young people gathered outside the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, encouraging them to resist apathy and division.

“In the face of the emptiness of indifference and compliance, before the violence of war and lies, you must be the sparks of a new humanity,” he said.

He also referenced Spain’s historical experience of religious coexistence among Christians, Muslims, and Jews, citing medieval efforts in translating Arabic texts as an example of cultural cooperation.

“Your own history suggests that a culture of encounter, not confrontation, is what fosters stability and prosperity,” he said.

The visit comes as Spain sees renewed youth interest in Catholicism, with a 2025 survey cited showing 28.8% of young respondents identifying as practicing Catholics, up from 17.6% in 2020.

During the trip, Pope Leo also visited a homeless shelter where migrants shared personal experiences of settling in Spain, including struggles upon arrival and eventual integration.

Spanish authorities have also implemented a large-scale amnesty program allowing an estimated 500,000 migrants to apply for legal status.

The Pope’s visit coincides with major public events in Madrid, including a concert by Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, which he referenced jokingly while speaking to reporters.

“If they were confronted with the question: do they want to see Bad Bunny or do they want to see the pope, I think many will go to see Bad Bunny,” he said, adding that some would still choose to attend his events.

Pope Leo is expected to deliver more than 20 speeches during the trip, which includes his first address to the Spanish parliament. He is also set to inaugurate a tower at Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica.

He will also meet survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, although some victim groups have criticized the format of the planned meeting, saying it is not sufficiently inclusive and calling for broader recognition and reparations.

“We don’t want a photo with the pope: we want rights and reparations for all the victims,” said a collective of victims’ groups.

A 2023 report by Spain’s human rights ombudsman estimated hundreds of thousands of clergy abuse victims over decades, reflecting a wider global crisis facing the Catholic Church.