Pope Leo XIV brought humour to his flight to Spain on Friday after revealing his support for Spanish football giants Real Madrid during a light-hearted exchange with journalists onboard.
According to Vatican News, the Pope made the remark while speaking with more than 80 journalists travelling with him on his Apostolic Journey to Spain, the opening leg of his week-long visit to the country.
During the informal conversation, one journalist asked whether he supported Real Madrid or Barcelona, the two most decorated clubs in Spanish football.
With a smile, the Pope responded, “That’s easy: the Pope is for all teams, but Robert Prevost is for Real Madrid!”
The response drew laughter from those on the flight and quickly became one of the standout moments of the journey.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Spain for a series of engagements with Church communities, civil authorities and Catholic faithful.
His itinerary is expected to include visits to Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands.
Beyond the football banter, the Pope also addressed several global concerns, once again calling for dialogue in areas affected by conflict and expressing worry over ongoing international crises.
He stressed the need for sustained efforts toward peace, particularly in Ukraine, while also mentioning the situation in Lebanon and reaffirming the Church’s solidarity with people facing conflict and instability.
The Pope further spoke on abuse within the Church, emphasizing the importance of continued support for victims as well as ongoing efforts aimed at accountability and healing.
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Spain is expected to feature meetings with Church leaders, government officials and worshippers across Madrid and other parts of the country.
