I have to confess something: I have been, I am, and I will be a big fan of Pope Francis.

Having said that, I must also confess that when the current Pope Leo XIV was elected, I looked at him with a certain suspicion, doing the easiest thing, which is to put him under the constant microscope of comparison with his predecessor.

Well, fortunately, his visit to Spain has shattered any previous reservations and has made me discover a pastor who is approachable, simple, serene, forceful in his message, courageous in defending human dignity, without fear because he knows he is a bearer of the light and strength of Jesus' words.

We have heard their messages, and I will not delve into an analysis of their content; I simply want to emphasize that in all of them, any human being (believer or without any particular religious affiliation) can find something to illuminate their life's path. This, perhaps, is the essence of the idea that the proclamation of the Good News is universal.

I want to highlight some details in the actions of Pope Leo XIV that have impacted me, mainly because it helps me to better understand how my attitude towards others should be.

First of all, I would like to highlight his presence.
Despite the fixed schedules, the protocol, the security, he is a Pope who conveys closeness, who prioritizes greetings, hugs, and smiles over the rush of "arriving on time" on stage. This presence has made me reflect on what kind of presence I have…

Secondly, I would like to highlight his attitude of facing the wounds head-on.
In every response given, he has not shied away from the pain expressed by the person he is speaking to; on the contrary, he has embraced it deeply, trying to understand the causes, naming the suffering, and teaching us not to utter empty and superficial words in a futile attempt to alleviate the suffering, because what matters most is accompanying them, and speaking, if necessary, afterward. And then the question arises: How do I view pain and approach those who suffer?

And finally, a third point to mention. I am Catalan, and I want to highlight the Pope's effort to convey his message to us in Catalan as well. This effort went far beyond simply overcoming a political obstacle; it stemmed from a deep desire for closeness, so that each person would feel loved in their own language, the language in which they express themselves, think, laugh, cry, and love. God speaks to each of us in our own language, and I believe that Pope Leo XIV knows this, understands its importance, and desires to be a transmitter of God's genuine love for every creature. Do I, too, love in the way that each person desires and needs to be loved?

Papa León's time in our land has been a great light for me; I feel that he inspires me and gives me clues about how I should try to live each day.

Inma
Barcelona