Pope Leo XIV gets caught up in Spain’s great debates over soccer and language | National News

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Pope Leo XIV found himself in the midst of two of Spain’s greatest rivalries — over soccer and language — as he landed in Barcelona on Tuesday during his weeklong visit to the country.

Spaniards don’t argue that much about issues like abortion or guns, but they do debate tirelessly about language and their favorite sport, whose significance transcends fandom.

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