Mobility in Barcelona's Raval neighborhood was severely affected on Wednesday by the pontiff's visit and an unexpected medical incident. Public anticipation and a strong police presence led to traffic chaos around the Parish of Sant Agustí, located in the heart of the district. Amidst this gridlock, with streets blocked off, a man suddenly fainted in the middle of the public thoroughfare shortly after the pontiff's arrival.
The incident, which drew the attention of numerous pedestrians and onlookers gathered to see the Pope, prompted the Guàrdia Urbana (Urban Police) to cordon off a section of Sant Pau street to facilitate the work of emergency services. Several units from the Sistema d’Emergències Mèdiques (SEM) attended to the man at the scene and, despite initial grim prognoses, managed to stabilize him before quickly transporting him to the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona. His current condition and recovery status are unknown.
The pontiff's visit to the Parish of Sant Agustí included a meeting with various diocesan entities such as Càritas (Caritas), Obinso, and Adoratrices. The parish rector, Faustin John Mlelwa, served as the master of ceremonies for this gathering. The parish was chosen due to its location and the presence of other nearby religious congregations, such as the Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who operate a soup kitchen in the area.
