Pope Leo XIV Makes First Papal Prison Visit in Spain

Pope Leo XIV visited a prison outside Barcelona on Wednesday, delivering a message of redemption to inmates and continuing a tradition of papal ministry to incarcerated individuals. The visit to the Brians 1 penitentiary, housing approximately 1,000 inmates, marked the first time a pope has visited a prison in Spain.

Speaking to detainees, Pope Leo emphasized that a person's past does not condemn the future but offers the possibility of changing decisions and choices. He urged the inmates to make amends for their crimes and commit to living better lives. One inmate, Montse Benavente, delivered a testimony before the pope about her struggles with faith and the damage caused to her family. Another prisoner, identified as Mayte, expressed gratitude for the visit, stating that it is easy for society to forget those who are imprisoned.

The prison visit was part of the pope's weeklong tour of Spain, which began in Madrid and will conclude in the Canary Islands. The centerpiece of his Barcelona stop occurred later Wednesday with the inauguration of the newest tower of the Sagrada Familia basilica, now the world's tallest church.

The pope's activities in Barcelona began on Tuesday with a...