Pope Leo XIV wades into Spain’s culture wars over soccer and the Catalan language in Barcelona | National News

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Pope Leo XIV waded into two of Spain’s classic culture wars as he landed in Barcelona on Tuesday during his weeklong visit to the country, but sought to defuse one quickly by speaking first in the Catalan language instead of Spanish upon his arrival.

Leo presided over a noon prayer at Barcelona’s cathedral that featured Catalan prayers as well as Leo’s Catalan words of welcome. Many people in this northeastern region of Spain want the pope to speak more Catalan publicly instead of Spanish, which Leo speaks fluently and is expected to use predominantly during his visit to Barcelona before heading to the Canary Islands.

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