“The Lord allows us all to start anew,” said Leo XIV on June 10, 2026, during a visit to a women’s prison in Barcelona. This first stop on his fifth day in Spain was an opportunity to recall that there is "no situation that causes the Lord to turn his gaze away from us."
Located about 40 minutes drive north of Barcelona, the Brians 1 women’s prison was built in the 1990s. This was the second time Leo XIV had visited a prison, following his visit to Bata Prison in Equatorial Guinea on April 22.
The emotion was palpable among the inmates, some of whom spoke to journalists from the international press. Maite and Eli, both incarcerated at the facility, described the event as a “total privilege” and a unique opportunity they do not expect to experience again. For Maite, aged 45 and just two months away from the end of her sentence, this meeting represents an “unexpected gift before her return to freedom.” Both hope to receive a blessing and a message to help them face life back in society once their sentences are served.
This visit, they said, makes them feel that despite all life’s trials, “God’s timing is perfect.”
Another prisoner confided her emotion and nervousness at the thought of this meeting with the Pope. She explained that she rediscovered her faith in prison thanks to the support of a priest, whereas she had not believed before. According to her, all the inmates share the same feeling: that of experiencing a unique moment, which gives “great hope and great faith.”
Embrace with an inmate
After being welcomed by the director of the prison, the Pontiff heard the testimonies of two inmates. Montse spoke of her faith despite life’s trials, particularly the death of her son: “I ask God for forgiveness for everything,” she told the Pope. She said she now looked forward only to “regaining her freedom” and being reunited with her “son in heaven.” Visibly moved, she was embraced by the Pope after she had finished speaking. Another inmate, Josefina, explained how Jesus “gives her strength” and “gives her life” in prison.
Taking the floor in turn, the Pope said he was deeply moved by these testimonies and assured, "Every human being is 'worthy' by the mere fact 'of having been willed, created and loved by God.'”
"When you are tempted to feel inferior and think it is not worth going on, 'lift up your eyes' to the One who, through the presence of so many people, never ceases to show you his love and closeness," the Pope encouraged them, making a reference to the Gospel passage that is the theme for the whole of the Spain trip: alzad la mirada.
Dear friends, I invite you to keep dreaming God’s dream. To each of you I say: God loves you just as you are, but he dreams of you being even better! The Lord allows us all to start anew, for being human and being Christian does not mean never making mistakes, but rather growing in the ability to convert, repent, make amends and, above all, to reconcile and forgive.
Leo XIV then headed to the Abbey of Montserrat, a renowned center for sacred music that is home to a Benedictine community, where he led the Rosary. Later in the afternoon, he will meet with the Diocesan Caritas of Barcelona and some of its beneficiaries. Finally, to conclude this fifth day of his trip to Spain, Leo XIV will celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia and bless the recently completed Tower of Jesus Christ. Today is the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death.
The Pope returns to the Vatican on Friday. You can read all of his prayers, speeches, and homilies here.
