Tuesday's day began early for Catalan high school students and teachers, who preemptively addressed potential disruptions during this year's University Entrance Exams (PAU). These coincided with the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Barcelona and protests called by educational unions demanding improvements from the Department of Education. Most students were summoned three-quarters of an hour earlier than usual to ensure timely arrival at their assigned locations for the Spanish Language and Literature exam.
"As we anticipated potential complications, we looked into safer transport options. We met earlier to take the train and then the metro, and we arrived without any issues," explained a Catalan teacher from the Institut Bernat el Ferrer in Molins de Rei, who was taking exams at the Campus Nord of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC). Many teachers wore characteristic yellow t-shirts, a symbol of the educational revolt, and stated they felt compelled to be present with the students.
About four kilometers away, teachers began gathering at the Venetian Towers of Plaça d'Espanya to start a demonstration dubbed 'papavaga' (Pope-strike). The march, organized by unions USTEC, CGT, and Intersindical, culminated at the gates of the Parliament of Catalonia. Teachers joined other striking professionals, such as library workers, with satirical signs comparing the mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, to the pontiff.
An improvised Lord's Prayer criticized the spending on the papal visit: "Tens of millions of euros are being spent on the Pope's visit, and state expenditure is tripling," stated the spokesperson for Intersindical, Marc Martorell. The mobilization complicated mobility, which was already challenging due to the arrival of Pope Leo XIV, who landed with a delay at El Prat airport.
The Cathedral, the Pope's first stop, drew a large crowd in Plaça Nova, despite a significant police presence. Later, the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys hosted a large event, likened to a rock concert due to the diverse attendees: from people with Spanish, Vatican, and Catalan flags, to individuals in Franciscan habits and t-shirts with gospel verses. The diversity of origins and ideologies was notable, including people from Catalonia, Latin America, and tourists.
Although the first day of the PAU and the pontiff's arrival proceeded without significant incidents, more disruptions are expected on Wednesday. The Pope will travel to Brians 1 prison in Sant Esteve Sesrovires and the Abbey of Montserrat. Some educational centers are considering maintaining the early call time to avoid traffic collapse.
"The first day of the entrance exams, we usually meet earlier because it's a day when some preliminary procedures need to be done before the exam, and punctuality must be maximum," confirmed a member of the management of the Institut Bernat el Ferrer.
The Guàrdia Urbana and Mossos d'Esquadra have secured access points to the Parish of Sant Agustí in El Raval and the area around the Sagrada Família, where a mass will be held for the centenary of Antoni Gaudí's death. Significant mobility and parking restrictions have been implemented, affecting key streets like Lepant and its surroundings.
Despite the signage, some drivers were caught off guard by the restrictions, with several vehicles towed by the Guàrdia Urbana. The area around the Sagrada Família has become an operations base for media outlets, with esplanades decorated for the papal visit.
