Sant Esteve Sesrovires was at the centre of a historic visit on 10 June 2026, when Pope Leo XIV arrived at Brians 1 prison in the Barcelona area. According to Regió 7, it was the first time a pope had visited a Catalan, and even Spanish, correctional facility.
The pontiff arrived in a motorcade and greeted people from his car window before entering the prison grounds. The ceremony took place in the Itziar Castro auditorium, a space decorated by inmates themselves.
During the event, prisoners presented the Pope with items made in Catalonia's penitentiary art workshops, including a painting by an inmate from Brians 1 and a ceramic plate from Brians 2. In return, he gave the centre a commemorative icon and thanked those present with a few words in Catalan.
The gathering brought together two female inmates, Josefina and Montserrat, along with volunteers from prison pastoral care, religious leaders from the centre, and representatives of prison staff. Although a government minister, the President of the Generalitat and other authorities were present, the front row was reserved for people directly involved in prison life and pastoral support.
Regió 7 said those seats were given to the Bishop of Sant Feliu de Llobregat, the Apostolic Nuncio, Brians 1 director Jordi Pons, chaplain Josep Bel, and the two inmates who took part. Their testimonies were central to the visit, which placed the focus on the prison community rather than the official delegation.
The visit underlines the Catholic Church's attention to prison ministry and inmate welfare in Catalonia. For more Catalonia-wide news, see our news coverage.
