The precious gift of Leo XIV to Spain for which we should feel very grateful

I must confess that a week ago I did not imagine that I would follow the Pope's visit to Spain as I have done, until the very last minute.

What a terrible idea, Pedro, made you decide to hide behind a man like this?
Leo XIV's criticism of abortion and euthanasia in his speech to the Spanish Parliament

When I sit down to write on my laptop, I usually have a small television to my left. It's switched off for most of the day, which gives me a lot of peace. Spanish current events have become so unpleasant that I prefer not to have that screen constantly upsetting me. The information I get from the internet is enough for me. I know this might seem like escapism, but I'm fed up with unscrupulous politicians whose purpose in life seems to make us feel disgusted every day. We've reached such a deplorable situation that sometimes, honestly, you're tempted to think your country is beyond saving.

This succession of scandals, corruption, abuses of power, and dirty tricks ends up making one feel skeptical not only of our rulers, but of society as a whole, because if we have such evil people in power, it's obviously because they have many supporters among us. That also makes you forget something important: the many good people there are in Spain.

These past few days our country has received a precious gift. For almost a week, Spain has enjoyed the presence of a good person who has brought us something that sometimes seemed lost: hope. The feeling of their absence is something that, all too often, leaves me sitting down to write here in a bad mood. This visit, and all the good people it has allowed us to meet, has been like a balm.

Of course, there are still many things to fix in our nation, but with his shy demeanor, his prudence, and his kindness, Leo XIV has been able to remind us of all the good in this land, which for centuries has clung to faith in the midst of the storm, managing to emerge from grave crises and heal wounds that seemed incurable. It is a gift for which we Spaniards should feel grateful.

Not even a malfunction on the plane the Pope was to depart on has been able to spoil the joy this visit leaves in its wake. After all, a plane malfunction is always a possibility, and it's better to detect it on the ground than in the air. Seeing the good humor with which Leo XIV took it, as well as our King's admirable gesture of lending him the official Falcon 900 plane he was to return to Madrid on, seemed to me a fitting end to this wonderful visit, and it reminded me of some beautiful words from Saint Teresa of Ávila:

Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God
lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.

Thank you, Lord, for not forgetting Spain in these difficult times, and thank you to Pope Leo XIV for restoring the joy and hope we so sorely missed. You have won the hearts of millions of Spaniards. May we see you again soon in this land of Mary.

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Photos: Casa Real.