Pope Leo XIV: "We are beggars of love, we hunger and thirst for truth"

There are days and moments that you already know, from the start, that you will remember for your entire life. Seeing Pope Leo XIV live, walking through the streets of Barcelona, is simply an unforgettable memory. Because of the transcendence of a figure like the Pope, but above all because of the spirituality and the choral history of a unique moment.

Definitely, we should look up in the broadest sense of the expression much more often. In this specific case, however, if we look up from the Olympic Stadium, we find the Sagrada Familia and Montjuïc.

Long -very long- queues of people gather at the Lluís Companys stadium. The same place on the magic mountain where Barça played some time ago and now, a few days ago, Bad Bunny sang. Our beloved Barcelona is in fashion all over the world.

Today everyone is looking for their particular daily memory with the Pope who comes from the Order of Saint Augustine. The Lluís Companys stage is filled with references to Gaudí's Basilica and the Virgin of Montserrat. The prelude heats up to the rhythm of Gospel, Catalan rumba with Sabor de Gràcia or songs by Conchita, Beret, Alfred Garcia or Álvaro Soler, among others. Taking advantage of the Gaudí year, some recall that "Antoni Gaudí said that it was not he who built the Sagrada Familia, but that it was the Sagrada Familia who built him." Do not ask what society can do for you, but what you can do for society. There are even those who take advantage of the prelude to confess or who talk about Maite Gaudí, the descendant of the universal architect from Reus who is filling different headlines in recent hours.

The philosopher Francesc Torralba speaks, always making himself heard by reminding us that "there is more joy in giving than in receiving," that "adversities are part of life," that "hope is not a passive wait," or that "together we can overcome the dragon of disillusionment." His latest book Anatomía de la esperanza (Grup 62, 2026) comes to mind like a flash, and I still have to finish reading it properly.

Different choral chants are heard saying: "In the Gaudí year, the Pope is here," "Long live the Pope!" or "This is, the youth of the Pope." And finally, the Pope arrives and, as it could not be otherwise, he does so with his Popemobile. Before entering to preach in the stadium where more than 40,000 expectant people await him, the Pope blesses the ambulances of Sister Lucia Caram that carry humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

The Pope enters the Olympic Stadium and takes a lap of honor. And what a lap of honor! Goosebumps. I look at the Pope, I look at the Sagrada Familia and I look at the Montjuïc cemetery. A tear escapes me. Don't ask me why. Some sing, some shout and some are directly moved. The Colla Castellera de Vilafranca del Penedès builds a human tower that is already a Unesco heritage site. Catalan culture is presented with a view to the Vatican. Vatican, Spanish, Catalan or Colombian flags wave, among others. Some more than others. There is still room for the presenters to wish good luck and encouragement to the students who are taking their university entrance exams these days. It must be a matter of youth...

"The linguistic controversy has been served for hours, but again we are asked to look up"

Joy turns into happiness and the mysticism of a unique moment heads towards its peak. The Pope begins to speak and says clearly and in Catalan that "Peace be with you". He combines Catalan and Spanish as best he can. The linguistic controversy has been served for hours, but again we are asked to look up.

The cardinal and archbishop of Barcelona, Juan José Omella, recalls the Barcelona Olympic Games of 1992. Many of the young people present were not yet born, but their relatives tell them that 34 years ago the Olympic flame was lit, placing our city on the world map. Omella also refers to the capital status of the Mediterranean, to the cultural symbolism of the castells, to the blessing of the Jesus Tower of the Sagrada Familia or to turning "Barcelona into the city of God, as Gaudí wanted". He says that another humanity is possible.

Three young people go up to the stage and address the Pope. How can we look up when society pushes us to look down or look at ourselves? Asks the first. How to get out of depression and a suicide attempt? Asks the second. How can I forgive? Asks the third. Their three cases are among those that strike the soul and draw strong applause from the audience, who are still very emotional. "Long live the Pope!", the boys in the back shout again.

Pope Leo XIV remembers Pope Francis: "With God, life is always reborn." And then he leaves some reflections to frame:

·Every step or conquest pushes us forward.

·It is necessary to cultivate a healthy restlessness.

·It is important to raise awareness about mental health.

·Our society silences suffering, but we must not spiritualize it.

·We must open ourselves to those who help us.

·Forgiveness is a sign of God's grace and is a powerful medicine against evil.

·We cannot attribute to God what has been entrusted to human responsibility.

·It is important not to get discouraged.

·We reject all forms of hatred or revenge.

·Let us be capable of forgiving and being bearers of peace.

"We are beggars of love, we hunger and thirst for truth"

To conclude, the Pope delivers the homily during the prayer vigil at the still-packed Olympic Stadium: "We are beggars of love, we hunger and thirst for truth. We seek a light that illuminates the path." A couple of young people sitting nearby write it down in their notebook. Love, path, and truth, what a powerful trident of words! "God has sent his son into the world to give us eternal life. God leads us to happiness that has no end. What society do we want to build? Let us not stop seeking each other and dialoguing," he concludes.

The grand finale arrives with Sergio Dalma and the Escolania de Montserrat: "You Give Me Strength." Pope Leo XIV has given us a unique memory and surely he will also give us strength to overcome the obstacles of the citizens of Barcelona. He still has, however, a few more stops in Brians, Montserrat, the Parish of Sant Agustí, and the Sagrada Familia. Barcelona will not forget his historic visit. We are beggars of love, we hunger and thirst for truth. There are days and moments that you know from the start you will remember for a lifetime.