Pope Leo XIV jokes young Spaniards would pick Bad Bunny over him during Madrid visit this weekend
Pope Leo XIV Jokes About Competing with Bad Bunny for Young Attention During Spain Visit
By Staff Writer, Maine News Now
Pope Leo XIV admitted Saturday that he knows he would lose a popularity contest against Latin pop star Bad Bunny if young people in Madrid had to choose between seeing the pontiff or the Grammy-winning artist this weekend.
The Chicago-born pope, who arrived in Spain on Saturday for a weeklong visit, acknowledged that he faces stiff competition for young hearts and minds from Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, who is currently performing a 10-show run in the Spanish capital as part of his tour.
"If they are confronted with the question 'Do you want to go see Bad Bunny or do you want to go to see the pope?' I think many will see Bad Bunny," Leo told reporters aboard the papal plane before landing. "But I think there will also be a few here to see the pope. And that says something, you know."
Despite the self-deprecating humor, thousands of young Catholics flooded the streets of Madrid to greet the American pontiff. An estimated 500,000 people gathered in a central plaza Saturday evening for a prayer vigil, their enthusiasm evident as they chanted in unison: "This is the youth of the pope!"
Leo later rode through the adoring crowd in his popemobile while a Spanish rendition of the 1970s musical "Godspell" filled the night air.
The pope raised the Bad Bunny comparison while discussing what he described as promising signs of spiritual awakening among Spain's young people. He expressed hope that his visit might help fan those sparks into something larger.
The pontiff also fielded questions about another American institution facing uncertain times: the Chicago Bears. The team's board of directors voted Thursday to advance a proposed stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, a move that could eventually take the franchise out of Illinois.
When pressed about the potential relocation, the Windy City's newest native son offered a wry response.
"That's out of my pay scale," Leo quipped.