Papacy meets Pop Culture
Pope Leo XIV engages with youth, addresses Bad Bunny competition and soccer in Madrid.
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Pope Leo XIV touched down in Madrid on Saturday, June 6, kicking off a seven-day apostolic journey across Spain — and immediately drawing laughs by joking about his toughest competition: Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican superstar is in the middle of a 10-concert Spanish tour, with two sold-out shows in Madrid this weekend happening at the same time as the Pope's prayer vigil with young people, according to NBC News.
Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, did not shy away from the comparison. He acknowledged Bad Bunny's pull on young audiences but said his visit could offer something the concerts cannot — a sense of meaning. The pope's arrival was greeted by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia at Madrid-Barajas Airport.
Pope Jokes About Losing Young Crowds to Bad Bunny
Speaking to 80 journalists aboard the papal plane, Leo XIV openly admitted the cultural battle he faces. Bad Bunny's "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos World Tour" has sold out stadiums across Spain, pulling young adults away from churches. The pope said his visit could help awaken young people who feel a lack of meaning in their lives, according to NBC Miami.
Vatican analysts say Leo's willingness to admit he might "lose" the attendance battle shows a humble, practical approach. Only 45% of Spanish youth ages 15 to 29 identify as Catholic today, though that is up from 31.6% in 2020. Overall, just 56.1% of Spaniards call themselves Catholic in 2026, down sharply from 71.7% in 2011, according to NBC Bay Area.
Pope Picks Real Madrid and the U.S. in World Cup
Leo XIV did not stop at pop music. He also weighed in on soccer. The pope declared his support for Real Madrid — using his birth name, Prevost, to make the pick feel personal. He also backed the United States in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is hosted in North America, according to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.
The comments drew wide attention in a country where the Real Madrid vs. Barcelona rivalry runs deep. By speaking the language of sports, Leo XIV is trying to connect with a generation more familiar with stadium chants than church hymns. A papal mass at Plaza de Cibeles on Sunday is expected to draw 1 million people, according to NBC San Diego.
Chicago-Born Pope Reacts to Bears' Move to Indiana
The pope also fielded questions about a major story back home. The Chicago Bears voted in early June to move their stadium to Hammond, Indiana — ending a century-long run in Illinois. For Leo XIV, who grew up in Chicago, the news hit close. He addressed the relocation on the flight to Madrid, according to NBC Philadelphia.
The Bears' departure is one of the biggest shifts in American sports geography in years. Chicago-based outlets have followed the pope's quips about the move closely, treating his international religious tour through a very local lens. The story has given the new pontiff a way to connect with everyday American fans.
Pope Marks D-Day Anniversary and Eyes Normandy Visit
June 6, 2026 marks 82 years since the D-Day landings of June 6, 1944. The pope noted the anniversary during his press conference on the plane. He also expressed a personal wish to visit Normandy, France, as pope — a trip now officially confirmed for September 2026, according to NBC Los Angeles.
The Normandy visit signals a broader Vatican focus on European peace and the legacy of World War II. The Spain trip itself is called "Alzada La Mirada," which means "Lift Up Your Eyes." It will cover Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands, where the pope plans to address the ongoing migrant crisis, according to NBC Los Angeles.
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