With the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Barcelona drawing nearer, a debate has arisen regarding the use of Catalan during his addresses. This Thursday, the Archbishop of Barcelona, Joan Josep Omella, stated that the pontiff "will evidently speak Catalan" and that he "is working to apply his message also in the language of the country, Catalan".

Omella explained that the Pope "from the very beginning knows that we speak Catalan here and had already prepared part of his speeches in Catalan". He added that the pontiff "is above all these controversies". However, it remains unknown if he will use Catalan during the blessing of the Sagrada Familia's Jesus tower, although it has been confirmed he will use it during the mass.

The Generalitat has already conveyed to the Vatican the "importance of Catalan in Catalonia" regarding the visit, and claims to have found "receptiveness and sensitivity" from the institution. At the municipal level, the mayor, Jaume Collboni, has confirmed making efforts for the Pope to use Catalan, believing that the language's presence in his speeches "must be relevant".