Prison chaplain Jesús Bel, who has dedicated 40 years of his priestly life to caring for incarcerated individuals, is eagerly anticipating the upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV to Brians 1 prison in Barcelona. Bel, who also directs the Hogar Mercedario on Can Travi street, emphasizes that the pontiff's presence in the prison will encourage society to view inmates "with different eyes," seeing them as individuals with rights and aspirations, rather than just criminals.

The news of the visit, announced by the Episcopal Conference, generated great excitement among the inmates. "We are in the Pope's mind, he has thought of us!" exclaimed one of the prisoners to Bel. The Catholic community at Brians 1, comprising around 55-60 members, has prepared to welcome the pontiff, who will meet with approximately 70-80 selected inmates who regularly attend mass.

Bel, who has worked in various prisons since 1986, including centers in Venezuela for 24 years, highlights the importance of the Pope's outreach to the "marginalized" and "those on the sidelines." The visit, facilitated by the Bishop of Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Xabier Gómez, is seen as a "masterstroke" that puts the prison "on the map" and promotes a more humane perspective towards inmates.

The chaplain also reflects on the social inequalities that lead many individuals to prison, particularly those with fewer financial resources who often cannot afford better legal defenses. Bel has experienced dangerous moments, such as a shootout in Venezuela where two inmates protected him, and he emphasizes the "very deep values" found in individuals "destroyed since childhood" yet capable of "turning their circumstances into an opportunity."