Pope Leo has kicked off a six-day tour of Spain, where he has met with high-level officials ahead of an expected address to parliament. The pontiff has addressed the rise of artificial intelligence, political populism, and global conflict during his visit. It's the first time a pope has visited Spain in 15 years.
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TRANSCRIPT
(Sound of applause)
Pope Leo has been greeted by hundreds of thousands of people, as he kicks off a week-long tour in Spain.
He is expected to meet with victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, and migrant and welfare groups.
Speaking to reporters before he arrived, the pontiff said sexual abuse remains an 'open wound' for the church.
He has also been keen to highlight the threats posed by AI - which was the subject of his recent papal encyclical.
"New technologies have created an artificial environment where our fundamental choices are put to the test, prejudices are magnified, critical thinking is weakened and dominating interests spread death wishes. Nevertheless, goodness can prevail and spread."
During his visit, the pontiff is expected to address the Spanish parliament, which headed by socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Both men have found themselves publicly at odds with US President Donald Trump over migration and war in recent months.
Addressing a gathering that included Mr Sanchez, bishops and government officials, Leo identified political populism as an increasingly urgent moral threat.
"Today, the temptation to gain popularity by fanning the flames of polarization seems to have grown rather than diminished, and human dignity continues to be violated."
King Felipe told the same gathering that important democratic institutions are being undermined.
"The dignity of people, human rights, democratic values and international law must remain our main numbers, because in their multiple combinations lie the formula of freedom, equality and justice. The one that adds and multiplies, not the one that subtracts and divides."
On his first day in Spain, more than half a million youth joined Pope Leo's vigil in central Madrid.
(Sound of the crowd greeting Pope Leo)
The overall numbers of practicing Catholics in Spain have declined in recent years.
About 52 per cent of Spaniards identify as Catholics, but only about 15 per cent are practicing the faith.
Addressing the crowd, Leo urged youth at the vigil to use faith to change history and be "sparks of a new humanity".
31-year-old Macarena Vielsa says seeing the pope in person means everything.
"It's been such a dream, it's been amazing, the Pope came to Madrid to see us. We're so excited, it's unbelievable. My heart is pounding, honestly. It's amazing, it really happened. You saw it, right next to us."
Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny will be performing in Spain at the same time, and the Pope has acknowledged he could be a tough act to follow when it comes to winning over young hearts and minds.
"If they (young people) were confronted with the question: do they want to see Bad Bunny or do they want to see the pope, I think many will see Bad Bunny. But I think there will also be a few here to see the pope."
As the US-born pope, Leo was also asked who he'd be supporting in the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
"I will certainly support the US. I don’t know how many games I will be able to see, but I wish them all the best."
The pontiff will be in Spain until June 12.
His itinerary includes travelling to Barcelona where he will bless the new tower of the world's tallest church, Sagrada Familia Basilica.
He plans to visit the Canary Islands where he will honour thousands of migrants who have died trying to reach Europe.
