Barcelona is at the centre of a new political row after the Catalan government criticised former president Carles Puigdemont’s call for protests during Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the city. Puigdemont urged people to greet the Pontiff with whistles and estelades, the Catalan independence flags, on Tuesday.
Albert Dalmau, the Minister of the Presidency, set out the government’s position in an interview with La 2 and Ràdio 4. He said such actions would not help win recognition for the Catalan language, adding: “This does not help the language.”
The dispute began after the Pope’s original itinerary for his visit to Catalonia did not include Catalan in some key events. One example was the blessing of the Sagrada Família’s Jesus tower. That omission prompted public debate, although the schedule was later corrected to include Catalan.
The government led by Salvador Illa says a respectful welcome is the better way to promote Catalan during a high-profile international visit. Its view is that formal recognition and inclusion in official events are more effective than confrontation.
Puigdemont’s call reflects a different approach, aimed at drawing attention to the status of the Catalan language and culture. The current administration, however, wants the visit to proceed smoothly and avoid further controversy.
For more Catalonia-wide coverage, see our news page. For official context on the visit, readers can also follow the Vatican and the Barcelona City Council.