Controversy over Catalan Language Use During Pope's Visit to Sagrada Familia

The Archdiocese of Barcelona denies agreements to include Catalan in the blessing of the Tower of Jesus Christ, sparking discontent.

Generic image of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
IA

Generic image of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

The controversy surrounding the use of the Catalan language during Pope Leo XIV's visit to Barcelona remains open a week before the blessing of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Familia.

The Archdiocese of Barcelona has "categorically" denied any agreement with the Vatican for the pontiff to use Catalan during a central event of his visit, as reported by some media outlets.
Currently, the official missal distributed by the Holy See plans for the tower's blessing to be conducted entirely in Spanish. This decision has caused discontent, particularly as it is the most symbolic act of the papal trip to Catalonia.
The limited presence of Catalan in the scheduled events has drawn criticism from the Generalitat, various political parties, and Catalan bishops.
The archdiocese insists that there are no confirmed changes to the official program and reminds that, during an apostolic journey, "the local church cannot influence the words of the Holy Father, as this is an exclusive competence of his." Therefore, Leo XIV will make the final decision regarding the language.