Antonio Banderas addressed Pope Leon XIV at a meeting in Madrid. Antonio Banderas spoke to Pope Leon XIV at a major event in Madrid. The actor emphasized the role of art in the church and shared a personal story of faith. More than 12,000 people were present in the hall.
A large-scale event, “Tejer redes,” took place at the Movistar Arena in Madrid with the participation of Pope Leo XIV. More than 12,000 people, many of them young, gathered to see the pontiff in person. The hall resounded with applause and shouts of “¡Viva el Papa!” and some participants couldn’t hide their emotions as the head of the Catholic Church passed by.
One of the first to take the stage was Antonio Banderas. The actor and director drew attention to the close relationship between the church and the arts, noting that for centuries the church was the largest patron of works of art. In his speech, Banderas also highlighted the figure of Jesus Christ as a symbol of peace and a source of inspiration for artists across eras.
A special part of Banderas’s speech was devoted to his personal story connected to the traditions of his native Málaga. He described how, as a child, he began to discover faith through music and street processions during Semana Santa. According to the actor, these moments helped him find answers to important questions and shaped his attitude toward religion. In conclusion, Banderas mentioned his religious musical Godspell, staged based on the Gospel of Matthew, and admitted that he considers himself “a victim of God’s enchantment.”
As part of the event, the number Samaritano from the musical Godspell was performed—a number staged the previous day at the prayer Vigil by the Bernabéu Stadium. It is known that Banderas personally led the rehearsals for this performance at Plaza de Lima. After the performance, the actor had a brief conversation with Pope Leo XIV, who, as a token of gratitude, presented him with a rosary in a red box.
Prior to this, the Archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal José Cobo, drew attention to the challenges facing society: according to him, there is currently a lack of questions and search for meaning. He emphasized that the church's mission is to unite people in the search for answers and to remain open to everyone. The cardinal also noted that preparing for the meeting took several months and included dialogue with representatives from various fields, with the main goal being to remind everyone of human dignity and justice without exceptions.
An important theme of his address was the role of language and communication. Cardinal Cobo reminded that words have the power to hurt as well as to heal, and can influence the atmosphere in society. He called for the use of all forms of communication — spoken, written, and digital — to create a more humane and just environment.
In the context of Pope Leo XIV's visit to Madrid, it is worth noting that the city had been preparing for the large-scale event in advance. The authorities warned about temporary traffic restrictions and changes in public transport operations to ensure safety and order during the events associated with the pontiff's arrival. More information on the measures introduced in the capital and Barcelona can be found in the article about transportation restrictions during the Pope's visit.
For reference: Semana Santa is one of the most important religious traditions in Spain, especially in Andalusia. The musical Godspell, which Banderas referred to, was first staged in 1971 and has since been repeatedly adapted for the Spanish stage. Movistar Arena is one of the largest concert venues in Madrid, with a capacity of up to 15,000 spectators. Papal visits are traditionally accompanied by heightened security measures and attract the attention not only of believers but also of the general public.
