More than 200 singers, expelled from the Sagrada Família in Barcelona during a papal mass, have sent a letter demanding explanations. The missive, sent on 15 June 2026, was addressed to the basilica, the Archdiocese of Barcelona, the Catalan government, and the Spanish government delegation.
The signatories are calling for a formal apology to those affected and want the organisational and operational individuals responsible for the decision to be identified. They also insist that accountability be taken if the actions are found to have been inappropriate.
Singers Call Expulsion "Disproportionate"
The singers stated in their letter that they participated in the celebration with "a spirit of service, institutional respect, and enthusiasm" for being part of an exceptional event. They found it "particularly painful" that a collective measure was adopted, affecting "indiscriminately hundreds of singers" for actions attributed to "a reduced number of people."
They described the response as "disproportionate and lacking the necessary consideration for the affected individuals." The singers want to know which body or authority made the decision to expel them from the Sagrada Família and based on what criteria. The letter also asks for information on the protocols and the proportionality of the measures taken.
Security Concerns Led to Removal
Over 500 singers, who were part of the choirs performing at the mass for Pope Leo XIV at the Sagrada Família, were removed from the venue just before the blessing of the Jesus tower. Security officials at the basilica detected that some singers had 'estelades' (Catalan independence flags) printed inside their sheet music. They also intended to sing "Els Segadors," the Catalan national anthem, at the end of the event, which was not part of the official programme.
Due to these security concerns, the police removed the group from the basilica, preventing them from participating in the final part of the ceremony. The singers' letter now seeks to understand the full chain of command and justification behind this swift action, hoping to prevent similar incidents in future large-scale events.
