Patricia Pardo, a well-known Spanish television presenter, is dealing with a persistent health issue after co-hosting the diocesan gathering for Pope León XIV at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium. After the event, Pardo said she had lost sensation and mobility in one of her little toes. Medical staff warned that the loss of function could become permanent if it does not improve within weeks.
The ceremony took place on June 8, during the pope’s apostolic visit to Spain, scheduled for June 6 to 12, 2026. More than 70,000 people attended. Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez helped welcome the pontiff at the stadium. It was the second papal visit to the Bernabéu, following John Paul II’s appearance there in 1982.
Pardo and her husband, Christian Gálvez, remained on their feet for more than four hours as they led the proceedings. The couple had also spent large time preparing, including script readings and a full rehearsal the day before. The physical demands of the event and the extended time standing preceded Pardo’s reported symptoms.
Speaking at the Beef Awards in Madrid on June 24, Pardo said the problem began immediately after the papal gathering. Mediaset medical staff advised her that if the nerve-related symptoms did not improve within three weeks, the loss of function could be permanent. Despite the setback, Pardo said she was grateful to take part in the historic occasion, which marked León XIV’s first visit to Spain and gave her the chance to share the stage with her husband.
Prolonged pressure or staying in one position can cause temporary numbness or tingling. Numbness that persists or worsens, particularly when it affects one side, warrants assessment by a qualified healthcare professional. This general information does not establish the cause or likely course of Pardo’s symptoms; her recovery will depend on the condition itself and medical evaluation.
The couple continues to receive messages of support from viewers and colleagues, many of whom have referenced their role at the papal event. Pardo said the experience was rewarding but physically taxing, and that she is eager for a period of rest. She plans to continue working through July before taking a family holiday in Galicia, a destination she describes as impressive to their summer plans.
Although Pardo’s situation is unusual, it draws attention to the physical strain major public events can impose, even on experienced professionals. More than 70,000 people attended the Bernabéu gathering, underscoring its scale, while Pardo’s account highlights the demands on those who helped lead it. Other Spanish celebrities have also recently made headlines over personal challenges, including Paula Badosa’s public remarks about her relationship with Stefanos Tsitsipas, discussed in this recent report on tensions between the tennis stars.
Further medical evaluation in the coming weeks will determine whether the injury becomes a lasting consequence of Pardo’s role in one of Spain’s most impressive religious events of the year.
