<em>Ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s September trip to France, a new survey highlights the profound spiritual impact of his recent visit to Spain.</em>
Pope Leo XIV’s trip to Spain has had a surprisingly powerful positive impact. This isn’t just a general impression; a survey commissioned by the Spanish Episcopal Conference has highlighted the effects of his apostolic journey. What does this mean for his future visits to the rest of Europe? French Catholics are next up, preparing to welcome Pope Leo XIV from September 25 to 28.
GAD3, an independent Spanish consulting, research, and communication business, conducted the study. They polled more than 5,000 participants and volunteers involved in Leo XIV’s recent visit to that country. The study (full results in Spanish, PDF) reveals that a month after the Holy Father’s June 6 to 12 visit, the vast majority still have vivid memories of the event. According to the collected data, a nearly unanimous number -- 98% view -- the trip positively or very positively. Furthermore, 98% say they currently have a positive or very positive image of the Pontiff.
Throughout his travels — which took him from Rome to Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands — Leo XIV successfully made himself better known. Before his arrival, 57% of respondents admitted having limited knowledge about his “figure, biography, and message.” Following his visit, that figure dropped to just 14%.
Narciso Michavila, the president of GAD3, spoke to Spanish Catholic news outlet COPE about the results. He noted, “It’s beautiful to see that there’s not a single corner of Spain that didn’t come to Madrid to participate in the main events.”
He particularly highlighted the vigil with young people, which brought together “half a million young people [...] in silence, and praying, trying to find themselves in a world that is so complicated for them.”
A lasting spiritual impact
The survey primarily highlights a profound spiritual impact. A full 92% of participants say that the Pope’s presence strengthened their desire to help “improve the world.” Similarly, 91% say the visit reinforced their personal relationship with God, while 87% feel it strengthened their “commitment to the Church.” Finally, 82% report “getting to know the figure of Jesus Christ better,” and 79% say the same regarding the Church.
This trend is significant, in Michavila’s view. “In the decades we’ve lived through since the Sexual Revolution of ‘68, it seemed that faith in what is material would definitively take hold, and nothing of transcendence,” he said. People seemed to believe that “there is no Creator God who loves us.” These survey results show a change in direction. “What’s surprising is that we see this comeback of spirituality not only in Spain, but also in the US, the United Kingdom, France…”
Beyond the spiritual impact measured one month after the trip, the survey also examined what participants experienced while Leo XIV was in Spain. The emotions listed are joy (the highest, at 99%), enthusiasm, hope, peace, a feeling of unity with others, spiritual connection, and pride (the lowest, at 94%).
This positive experience was accompanied by messages that left a deep impression on the faithful. Among the teachings that had the strongest impact were the importance of “prayer and a personal encounter with God” (19%), “living faith with joy and hope” (17%), “the call to serve and help others” (13%), and building “peace through dialogue and reconciliation” (12%).
Concrete steps and digital reach
These words have found concrete applications in the lives of the faithful. Following the trip, 45% declared that now they “will try to live with more hope or joy.” Additionally, 41% “will take better care of their spiritual life,” 30% “will help others more,” and 28% are going to “talk more about [their] faith with other people.”
More than a quarter (27%) also intend to “dedicate more time to prayer.” Meanwhile, 12% are reconsidering “some important decision.” The same percentage said they want to “participate more in [their] parish,” or want to “become more committed to the Church.”
The event’s momentum also continued on social media. After the visit, 91% of respondents consulted online content dedicated to the Pope, and 89% shared photos or videos on WhatsApp. Seven out of 10 people said they sent messages, quotes, or videos via WhatsApp or Telegram. More than half followed new accounts linked to the Pontiff, and a similar percentage shared content in their parish and volunteer groups.
Michavila pointed out that the young people they surveyed represent themselves as “Catholics without complexes, who don’t apologize” for their faith in the face of anti-Catholic sentiment, which has been strong in some segments of Spanish society. “They have friends who are believers and friends who aren’t, but they can talk about God and the Church with a freedom that up until recently was very difficult” to achieve, he says.
They “recognize that life has its complications,” and “they know that the Church is made up of sinners.” Consequently, “they aren’t scandalized” by human weaknesses.
This survey serves as an encouraging indicator for the French bishops, who also hope to make Leo XIV’s upcoming arrival a major Church event. The findings will surely feed the growing anticipation among the faithful ahead of the Pope’s arrival in France.
