Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Tuesday, 09 June 2026, 13:59 / Updated Tuesday, 09 June 2026 14:02
The “Bernabeu” stadium in Madrid hosted on Monday, June 8, the meeting of Pope Leo XIV with the diocesan community of the Spanish capital, an event attended by over 70,000 believers. This was the second visit of a Pope to Real Madrid's stadium, after that of Pope John Paul II in 1982.
On the plane during the trip to the Spanish capital, Pope Leo XIV confessed that “the Pope supports all teams”, but that he personally sticks with Real Madrid.
Pope Leo XIV has confessed that he supports Real Madrid
Upon arrival at the Bernabeu, the Pope was greeted by Real's re-elected president, Florentino Perez, who presented him with a personalized Madrid club shirt bearing his name, Robert F. Prevost, and number 1, as well as a replica of the stadium. Leo XIV gave him a commemorative medal instead.
“I suppose that for a footballer, scoring a goal in this stadium is a moment he will not forget for the rest of his life. But today, the church in Madrid has scored a goal for eternity,” the Pope said in his speech to the packed stadium.
Leo XIV already won the hearts of the fans of the “galacticos” during his trip to Madrid, when, on board the papal plane, he was asked by a journalist whether he supports Real or Barcelona.
“It's simple, the Pope supports all teams, but Prevost is for Real Madrid“, was his answer, referring to his baptismal name, according to sportal.bg.
Real Madrid vs Barça? “That's easy…the Pope is for all teams, but Prevost is Real Madrid” #españa @Pontifex pic.twitter.com/MJQn41QSw5
— Elise Ann Allen (@eliseannallen) June 6, 2026
The first Pope from the United States of America did not forget to mention that at the upcoming World Championship he will hold the fists of his native country.
