BARCELONA, SPAIN - JUNE 9: Pope Leo XIV presides over a Prayer Vigil at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium to prayer vigil in Barcelona, Spain on June 09, 2026. The event brought together worshippers from across Catalonia, Spain, and abroad for an evening dedicated to prayer, reflection, and unity during the Holy Father's apostolic journey to the country. (Photo by Lorena Sopena/Anadolu via Getty Images)
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Pope Leo XIV is presiding over a youth rally in Barcelona. It’s notable for its frank discussion of depression, domestic violence and “toxic” family relationships. The American pope is urging young people to persevere in their faith when times are dark. The event featured several nods to Catalan culture, including a demonstration of the region’s famed human tower acrobats, known as castellers. Leo also spoke in Catalan, more than initially foreseen.
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