The pontiff led a vigil with 40,000 people at the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc, where he spoke with young people about depression, suicide and violence against women.
Pope León XIV took part on June 9, 2026, in a preparatory vigil at the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc in Barcelona. The event gathered around 40,000 people and featured prior musical performances. The pontiff held a dialogue with several young people. Among them were a girl who had attempted suicide after depression and another who was a victim of an abusive father. León XIV stated that «we must not spiritualize pain» and that «God does not want suffering». The Pope called for a health system that prioritizes mental health, which he described as a «silent illness». He also denounced violence against women, which «often ends lamentably in feminicides as well», and urged society to address it. The event proceeded with joy among attendees, who waved Vatican flags and expressed emotion at the meeting.
