Barcelona is at the centre of criticism over the limited use of Catalan in the programme for Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit, with parties and language groups across Catalonia saying the language should have a stronger role.
Mònica Sales, president of the Junts per Catalunya parliamentary group, has written to Catalan President Salvador Illa asking him to intervene. She wants him to defend Catalan's role in the Sagrada Família blessing on 10 June, after reports that the language will be placed in a secondary position to Spanish.
Sales also said the blessing of the Jesus Christ tower will be entirely in Spanish. She called on Illa to take all necessary steps with the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Cardinal Joan Josep Omella and the Holy See to ensure Catalan has a presence that matches its legal recognition.
In her letter, Sales said Junts is not asking for any concession or favour, but is defending the language. She also argued that the Catalan government should be the first to act and set an example. For background on the political context, see our news coverage.
Other voices joined the criticism. Elisenda Alamany, ERC's secretary general and candidate for Barcelona mayor, said the Pope should respect the society hosting him and its language. Jordi Castellana, a Republican councillor in Barcelona, said the visit cannot mean a new marginalisation for Catalan and urged the government, city council and Catalan Church to guarantee its use.
Júlia Ojeda, vice-president of Alhora, said that if the Department of Linguistic Policy and Barcelona's Commissioner for the Social Use of Catalan cannot make the country's language prevail in such an event, they should resign. Òscar Escuder, president of Plataforma per la Llengua, told Catalunya Ràdio that the decision is intolerable, a mockery and an insult to Catalans. The groups now expect the Catalan government to speak directly with Church leaders before the visit.