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Pope Leo XIV Surprises by Confessing His Preference for Real Madrid During His Visit to Spain

Pope Leo XIV begins his visit to Spain with a surprising confession about his favourite team: Real Madrid!

Rodrigo PeláezRodrigo Peláez· · 2 min read

An Apostolic Journey with a Sporting Touch

This Saturday, Pope Leo XIV has begun his much-anticipated apostolic visit to Spain, an event that promises to be significant both religiously and culturally. However, what seemed to be a day dedicated to spirituality took an unexpected turn thanks to a revealing statement from the pontiff about football.

During the flight from Rome to Madrid, in a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by more than 80 journalists, the Pope was asked about his favourite football team. With a smile and a humorous tone, he replied: “The Pope is for all teams, but Prevost is for Real Madrid. This response not only elicited laughter among those present but also ignited the passion of Madrid fans.

Upon his arrival at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, the Pope was welcomed by prominent figures such as King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, as well as the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez. This royal reception underscores the importance of the Catholic leader's visit to the country.

The Pope's agenda includes several significant events. One of the most anticipated is a prayer vigil scheduled to take place in the Plaza de Lima, located near the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Additionally, it has been confirmed that a large mass will be held on Monday inside the Real Madrid stadium, which is sure to attract thousands of faithful and fans.

Although the Pope's interest in other sports such as tennis has been documented previously, his recent comment has particularly resonated with Real Madrid supporters. This enthusiasm comes at a crucial time for the white club, as it is currently engaged in internal electoral activities. The blend of religion and sport has captured the attention not only of the media but also of social networks.

Rodrigo Peláez

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Rodrigo Peláez