MADRID — Pope Leo XIV delivered an address to the Spanish parliament, known as Las Cortes Generales, in Madrid on June 8, 2026, becoming the first pope to speak before the Spanish legislature.
Pope Leo XIV called for renewed respect for migrant rights and international law, stating that moral renewal in public life is necessary to protect the dignity of migrants, the unborn, and vulnerable populations. "The moral greatness of a nation is manifested, above all, in its capacity to accompany, protect and love those lives that are most fragile," he said.
He also called for diplomatic solutions and adherence to international law to resolve military exchanges between Israel and Iran. "Peace demands diplomatic courage, ethical responsibility and a vision for the future grounded in respect for the identity of every people and in the obligation of states to resolve their disputes through the peaceful means offered by international law," he said. Lawmakers from multiple political parties gave a standing ovation at the conclusion of his address.
The Pope expressed concern regarding increased military spending in Europe in response to Russia's war in Ukraine and potential reductions in United States military and financial support, noting that rearmament is being presented as an inevitable response to international fragility.
Pope Leo XIV advocated for strengthened international cooperation to prevent human smuggling and to establish conditions allowing individuals to remain in their home countries, calling for safe pathways and the right to remain due to lack of peace, security or decent living conditions. Earlier in 2026, the Spanish government launched a legalization initiative for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants.
Pope Leo XIV called for ethical oversight of automated weapons systems utilizing artificial intelligence to prevent moral responsibility from being removed from human decision-making. He cited the 16th century School of Salamanca as a Spanish intellectual tradition that contributed to international law and human rights concepts, acknowledging that society and the church did not always live up to insights found in their Christian tradition.
Pope Leo XIV previously issued an apology for the Holy See's historical role in legitimizing the trans-Atlantic slave trade and colonial conquests in the Americas. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez characterized Pope Leo XIV as a "moral compass" following a visit to the Vatican. The Pope also stated that political pluralism should not degenerate into constant disparagement of one's adversary.