As part of his historic visit to Spain, Pope Leo XIV met Sunday afternoon with some of the country’s most prominent figures from the worlds of culture and sports. Among those in attendance were Hollywood actor and producer Antonio Banderas and Olympic badminton champion Carolina Marín. Organized by the Archdiocese of Madrid and held at the Movistar Arena, the event was hosted by two Spanish journalists Carlos Franganillo and Lara Siscar.
“Art is, by definition, the language of humanity. It serves as a kind of public square where no one feels like a stranger. In a fragmented society, beauty allows people of different perspectives to come together in a shared search for transcendence, free of prejudice,” organizers said.
© STEFANO RELLANDINIThe gathering, which featured an emotional address from the 70-year-old pontiff, was divided into several segments and also included appearances by celebrated flamenco dancer Sara Baras and award-winning Paralympic swimmer Teresa Perales.
Held under the theme Building Bridges with the Worlds of Culture, Art, Business, and Sports, the event featured performances by singer-songwriter Rozalén, the Mariemma Royal Professional Conservatory of Dance, the Higher School of Singing, and a Big Band ensemble, among others.
© JAVIER SORIANOThe arena was filled to capacity, with attendees including First Deputy Prime Minister Carlos Cuerpo and Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso. Familiar faces in the crowd also included journalists Susanna Griso, Iñaki Gabilondo, and Nieves Herrero; bullfighter Gonzalo Caballero; and Tamara Falcó and Íñigo Onieva, who appeared especially affectionate throughout the evening.
Antonio Banderas, the star of films such as The Mask of Zorro and Pain and Glory, is known for his deep religious devotion and for participating as a costalero, one of the bearers who carry religious floats during Holy Week processions, in his hometown of Málaga. He also shared a moving reflection with the audience.
“An artist must be courageous, just as Christ was,” he said. “And I am here, Holy Father, to confess that I have fallen under God’s spell,” he added while looking directly at the Bishop of Rome.
The two later greeted each other warmly with a handshake. At that moment, the crowd rose to its feet in enthusiastic applause, giving them a thunderous standing ovation in what was undoubtedly one of the most memorable moments of the event.
© STEFANO RELLANDINIAfterward, the head of state of Vatican City was scheduled to attend an official dinner at the residence of Cardinal José Cobo Cano, who had once been mentioned as a possible successor to Pope Francis following the late pontiff’s death. The dinner took place at the Archbishop’s Palace, a 16th-century building renovated in 1735 and located on Calle de la Pasa in Madrid’s historic La Latina neighborhood. The palace is also home to an important collection of artworks.
The dinner marked the conclusion of a marathon day that had begun that morning with a massive Mass in Plaza de Cibeles, hosted by King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and their daughters. The event will be remembered for drawing more than one million faithful, making it one of the largest religious gatherings in Spain’s recent history.
