Adrián Barbón meets Pope Leo XIV in Madrid

The President of the Principality of Asturias, Adrián Barbón, attended the official welcome ceremony for Pope Leo XIV at the Royal Palace in Madrid, where he had the opportunity to greet the Pontiff. Barbón was among the first to offer his formal salutations and exchanged words with Pope Leo XIV, with the King present.

This meeting marked a reunion for Barbón and Leo XIV, who had previously met in January of the same year. During that earlier encounter in the Vatican, Barbón had extended an invitation to the Pope, and it was noted as the first time a Pope had granted a personal audience at the Apostolic Palace to a head of government from Asturias. At that time, Barbón conveyed concerns about escalating international tensions and threats to global peace, referencing the situations in Venezuela, Ukraine, and Gaza.

Barbón shared his positive impressions following the reception on his social media: «Listening to the Pope always pays off: a message of peace, dialogue, human dignity, and bridge-building in the face of polarization. It is comforting.»

Key Details

Reunion and Papal Message

The encounter at the Royal Palace provided an opportunity for Barbón to reconnect with Pope Leo XIV. Following the reception, Barbón expressed that the Pope’s message focused on human dignity, peace, harmony, and dialogue. He also highlighted the Pope’s advocacy for the poor, respect for international law, and the construction of bridges as an alternative to confrontation and polarization. Barbón personally described the Pope’s discourse as «Simply very, very good.»

The Pope had specifically requested the attendance of the diplomatic corps accredited in Spain at the Madrid reception, aiming for his initial message to resonate internationally. Over a hundred members of foreign delegations were among the approximately 250 personalities present in the Hall of Columns.

Encounter with Cardinal Fernández Artime

During the event, President Barbón also had the chance to see Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, the pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life since 2025. Cardinal Fernández Artime, who hails from Asturias, was part of the Vatican delegation accompanying the Pope. Barbón recalled his earlier private audience with the Pope and encouraged those who had not heard the Pontiff’s address in Madrid to do so, noting its emphasis on peace, dialogue, and human dignity.

The Pope’s visit to Spain included a private meeting with the Royal Family in the Gasparini Room before moving to the Throne Room for the formal greetings with authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps. Cardinal Fernández Artime, described as close to the Holy Father, is accompanying him throughout his pilgrimage in Spain, which includes stops in Barcelona and the Canary Islands.

This event is relevant to Football Español readers as it highlights the international engagement of a prominent Spanish political figure and touches upon themes of peace and dialogue that resonate globally, often intertwined with the broader geopolitical context in which international football operates.

Fuente: https://www.lne.es/asturias/2026/06/07/barbon-saluda-papa-escucharle-merece-131110087.html