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Criticism over Catalan's limited role during Pope's visit to Barcelona

Pro-independence parties and language advocacy groups demand greater visibility for Catalan during the papal visit's official events.

Facade of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona with afternoon light.
IA

Facade of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona with afternoon light.

The Pope's upcoming visit to Barcelona on June 10th has sparked criticism due to the secondary role assigned to the Catalan language in official events, notably at the Sagrada Familia.

The parliamentary group leader of Junts per Catalunya, Mònica Sales, has written to the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, urging him to intervene in defense of Catalan during the blessing of the Sagrada Familia. It has emerged that the ceremony, presided over by Leo XIV, will relegate Catalan to a secondary position compared to Spanish, further exacerbated by the fact that the blessing of the Tower of Christ the King will be entirely in Spanish.
Sales calls on Illa to undertake all necessary steps with the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Cardinal Joan Josep Omella, and the Holy See to ensure Catalan's presence is "adequate to its legal recognition." The party associated with Carles Puigdemont views the defense of Catalan as a matter of "nation" and insists the Government must act "exemplarily."
Sales's statement also highlighted a regression compared to Benedict XVI's visit in 2010. Furthermore, she noted that Pope Leo XIV's visit coincides with the centenary of the death of Antoni Gaudí, a figure "deeply rooted in the country and Catalan identity," making the limited presence of Catalan—the language the architect championed—"more painful."
Criticism has also come from other political parties and organizations. ERC's Secretary General, Elisenda Alamany, urged Catalan authorities to ensure the Pope "respects the society that will welcome him and its language," emphasizing that "Catalonia is not a stage; it is a country." Republican councilor Jordi Castellana and Barcelona en Comú councilor Pau Gonzàlez also called on the Government, the City Council, and the Catalan Church to guarantee the use of Catalan.
The Vice President of Alhora, Júlia Ojeda, criticized the "refusal of the Archbishopric of Barcelona to display Catalan flags (senyeres)" and likened the situation to "the crusade against pro-independence supporters" during the Olympics. Meanwhile, the president of Plataforma per la Llengua, Òscar Escuder, described the decision as "absolutely intolerable, a mockery, and an insult to Catalans," particularly to the memory of Gaudí.

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