The visit of Leo XIV to Spain has once again brought the main themes of his pontificate into focus, especially his commitment to a Church highly attentive to social, technological, and economic changes. The Pope's presence in our country is not merely a ceremonial visit: it is accompanied by concrete actions, significant documents, and calls for shared responsibility within the international community.
Since his election, one of the elements that has aroused the most curiosity is the meaning of the name chosen by Robert Prevost . The Pope himself explained to the College of Cardinals that he took the name of Leo XIII, the Pope who opened a new chapter in the Social Doctrine of the Church with his defense of dignity, justice, and work. This guiding thread, which began at the end of the 19th century, is what Leo XIV is now attempting to update in the 21st century.
The legacy of Leo XIII and the choice of the name of Leo XIV
When Leo XIV explained the reason for his name, he recalled that Leo XIII had a clear understanding of a time marked by the Industrial Revolution and the harsh conditions of the working class. In 1891, the encyclical Rerum novarum directly addressed problems such as inequality, labor exploitation, and insufficient wages, defending the right to decent work, fair compensation, and the organization of workers' associations.
That document marked a turning point in the Social Doctrine of the Church , proposing a systematic reflection on economics, social justice, and the role of the State. More than a hundred years later, Leo XIV embraced that legacy in a very different context, but with similar underlying tensions: precariousness, power imbalances, and new forms of inequality associated with technological development and globalization.
Fernando Vidal, a professor at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Comillas University, emphasizes that the Pope demonstrates a firm commitment to artificial intelligence and its impact on the economic development model. The challenge, he points out, is ensuring that these tools are truly put at the service of the common good and do not become yet another factor of marginalization, especially in the workplace.
In this context, the visit of Leo XIV takes on special significance for institutions like the Pontifical University of Comillas , historically linked to the Church's social thought and to the dialogue between faith, justice, and social transformation. The Pope's presence rekindles reflection on how to apply Leo XIII's insights to such current issues as digitalization and emerging poverty.
"Magnifica humanitas": the first encyclical of Leo XIV
The first major magisterial text of Leo XIV's pontificate is the encyclical "Magnifica Humanitas ," which arrives precisely during the days when the Pope is visiting Spain. Signed on May 15, the choice of date is not accidental: on that same day in 1891, Leo XIII published Rerum Novarum , and other Popes have also chosen that day for key social documents.
“Magnifica Humanitas” is presented as an update of Catholic Social Teaching in light of the realities of the 21st century. If in the 19th century the main backdrop was the Industrial Revolution, now the Pope refers to a veritable “new digital revolution.” Robert Prevost himself, when announcing his name to the cardinals at the conclave, hinted that he saw many similarities between the two historical moments.
Among the topics anticipated by those who have had access to the text, the reflection on artificial intelligence stands out . The president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Luis Argüello, indicated that the encyclical will emphasize the centrality of the person and humanity in the face of the risk of technology becoming an end in itself. It is not simply a matter of regulating tools, but of asking what kind of society is being built with them.
In addition to AI, "Magnifica Humanitas" addresses other major global challenges of the era of globalization: peace, the crisis of international law, armed conflicts, and economic dynamics that exclude large segments of the population. In this respect, the text aligns with the Church's concern for the international order and for a system of relations between states that effectively protects the most vulnerable.
The encyclical follows the apostolic exhortation Dilexi te , signed on October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi . That document, presented as an unfinished project of Pope Francis completed by Leo XIV, shows a line of continuity rather than rupture: both texts denounce the inadequacy of the current commitment to eradicate the structural causes of poverty and warn against the “blindness and cruelty” of those who believe that the poor are there by chance.
Social tradition of May 15: from Rerum novarum to Mater et magistra
Leo XIV's choice of May 15th places it within a tradition of social encyclicals that began with Leo XIII. In 1931, Pius XI signed Quadragesimo anno on that same day , forty years after Rerum novarum , to reinforce the critique of both unchecked capitalism and Marxism, insisting on a just wage, social justice, and the principle of subsidiarity.
This principle, which Leo XIV also reiterates in his speech, maintains that the State should not supplant families or intermediary institutions , but rather support them so that they can fulfill their role. Pius XI had already warned of the risk of concentrating too much power in structures that stifle social initiative.
Thirty years later, in 1961, John XXIII published Mater et Magistra , also on May 15, further emphasizing worker participation in the life of companies and co-responsibility within the political community. This text forcefully introduced the concept of solidarity and underscored the role of the State in correcting economic imbalances and promoting social welfare.
Against this backdrop, "Magnifica Humanitas" can be read as a new stage in a lineage that began with Leo XIII and continued through Pius XI and John XXIII. The novelty lies in the type of challenges: artificial intelligence, job automation, disinformation, polarization, and the degradation of the global ecosystem, without losing sight of the classic injustices linked to work and access to basic goods.
It is widely assumed that the publication of the encyclical in the final weeks of May will transform Leo XIV's trip to Spain into a kind of public presentation of his social and pastoral project. Therefore, Luis Argüello emphasizes that this apostolic pilgrimage will be an opportunity to address communion within the Church, acknowledging the differences and diverse realities present in our country, and will also serve as a sign and instrument of peace.
Science, faith and care for creation: the Vatican Observatory
Another characteristic of the beginning of Leo XIV's pontificate is his emphasis on the alliance between science and faith in service to the care of the planet. In an audience with members of the Vatican Observatory Foundation, based in the United States, the Pope recalled the shared responsibility to protect Creation and to ensure the well-being of the most vulnerable.
In his address, Leo XIV emphasized that the Church's commitment to rigorous and honest science is not optional, but essential. Astronomy occupies a special place in this endeavor: the human capacity to contemplate the sky, the stars, the sun, and the moon is presented as a universal gift, accessible to rich and poor alike, that awakens awe and puts fears and shortcomings into perspective before the immensity of God.
The Pope recalled that 135 years ago, Leo XIII re-established the Vatican Observatory to demonstrate that the Church does not oppose true science, but rather embraces and promotes it. While back then the aim was to combat the idea of a supposed rivalry between faith and reason , today the threat is different: the denial of the very existence of objective truth, something that affects both scientific knowledge and ethical and religious reflection.
In a world marked by the unchecked exploitation of resources and people, Leo XIV denounced the fact that many lives are threatened by blind economic dynamics and short-sighted political decisions. For this reason, he expressed his gratitude for the work of the Vatican Observatory Foundation, which allows the telescopes and laboratories to be maintained as places where the glory of creation is contemplated with reverence and joy, and where training is offered to students and teachers from around the world.
The Pope also echoed an image used by Benedict XVI: we have filled the sky with artificial light that prevents us from seeing the stars , a metaphor for sin and all that clouds our perception of reality. In response, he encouraged everyone to continue sharing the wonder of astronomy, especially with young people and educational communities, as a way to strengthen their sense of responsibility for caring for our common home.
Hunger and food justice: May's prayer intention
In keeping with his concern for the most vulnerable, Leo XIV has set a prayer intention for the month of May focused on hunger and access to food. The message reminds us that the fruits of the earth are a gift meant for everyone, not just a few, and that food goes far beyond the material: it touches on human dignity, justice, fraternity, and the care of creation.
The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, through Father Cristóbal Fones, explains that this intention stems from the Pontiff's sorrow for those who cannot access even the most basic necessities. It is not simply a matter of observing the situation, but of promoting a real shift from indifference to responsibility, through awareness campaigns, food banks, and more frugal lifestyles.
In Spain, this call has resonated with the Church in La Rioja , which is inviting parishes, religious communities, schools, families, and pastoral groups throughout May to pray for those suffering from hunger and to cultivate concrete acts of solidarity. Blessing the table, avoiding waste, and sharing with vulnerable people are presented as simple gestures, yet imbued with Gospel meaning.
Leo XIV's intention concludes with a clear plea: that bread cease to be seen as a mere commodity and be perceived as a sign of communion and mutual care, so that no one is excluded from the common table. In the context of a growing global food crisis, this invitation takes on a particularly urgent tone and resonates deeply with the daily realities of many families.
This perspective on food connects with other key themes of the pontificate, such as criticism of the structures that generate poverty, denunciation of the waste of resources, and the call for an economy that puts people and the common good at the center, not just immediate profits or the interests of a few.
Solidarity initiatives in Spain during the visit of Leo XIV
The Pope's visit to our country goes beyond speeches and ceremonies. The Spanish Episcopal Conference has launched a very specific solidarity initiative aimed at religious brotherhoods and confraternities: to provide every person incarcerated in Spanish prisons who wishes to practice their faith with a copy of the Catholic Bible.
To make this possible, the Library of Catholic Authors (BAC) has prepared a simple and affordable edition , costing five euros per unit. Brotherhoods and confraternities can make their donations to a specific account of the Episcopal Conference, indicating "P. Penitentiary Bibles" in the reference, and send an email with their contact information, the number of Bibles they are funding, and the amount donated.
The goal is to collect approximately 3.000 Bibles for distribution during the papal visit, making them a direct gift from the Successor of Peter to inmates. The Prison Ministry will be responsible for organizing and distributing them to the various prisons, emphasizing that no one is excluded from the Church's attention, not even those serving sentences.
In addition, the Episcopal Conference has created a dedicated website with liturgical, catechetical, and spiritual resources to help prepare for the trip. These include a section on popular piety, with downloadable materials for processions, community prayers, and celebrations related to the Pope and the major themes of his teachings.
The Spanish bishops hope that this visit will be an opportunity to revitalize the faith of believers and, at the same time, bring the message of Jesus Christ closer to the hearts of those who seek meaning and do not feel particularly connected to the Church. Leo XIV's visit to Spain is thus envisioned as a spiritual boost, but also as an impetus for many existing initiatives of social commitment and solidarity.
With this series of gestures and documents, the pontificate of Leo XIV is taking shape as a period marked by continuity with the Church's social tradition and, at the same time, by a willingness to confront current issues such as artificial intelligence, the food crisis, the protection of the planet, peace, and the dignity of prisoners. His visit to Spain serves as a showcase for a project that seeks to combine faith, justice, and global responsibility at a particularly complex time for Europe and the international community as a whole.
