Pope Leo is competing with another VIP in Madrid. His name is Bad Bunny
Pope Leo is competing with another VIP in Madrid. His name is Bad Bunny
Amaris Encinas, USA TODAYSat, June 6, 2026 at 3:20 PM UTC
0
Pope Leo won't be the only VIP in Spain this weekend, a fact the pontiff knows all too well.
Speaking with reporters aboard the papal plane on June 6, Leo acknowledged that he's facing some stiff competition from Bad Bunny, as his apostolic journey coincides with various concerts at Madrid's Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
"If they are confronted with the question: do they want to see Bad Bunny or do they want to see the pope, I think many will go to see Bad Bunny," Leo said. "But I think there will also be a few there to see the pope. And that too says something, you know."
The Saturday, June 6 performance is one of a handful concerts left on the Puerto Rican artist's Spanish tour, which formally concludes on June 15 after a 10-show stint in the nation's capital.
Ahead of the trip, Cardinal José Cobo Cano, the archbishop of Madrid, suggested that the "TURiSTA" singer could have some kind of meeting with Leo.
Advertisement
Pope Leo XIV waves as he boards the papal plane ahead of his apostolic journey to Spain on June 6, 2026.
According to CNN, Leo also said he was "very pleased" to hear reports about the increase in conversions to Catholicism, especially among younger people.
"Young people that are looking for something more, having grown up in many cases without that, if you will, spiritual dimension in their lives, they realize there's an emptiness, there's a lack of a sense of meaning," he said.
Pope Leo says he's rooting for the US in World Cup
When asked what World Cup team he was rooting for, Leo confirmed he was rooting for the United States and happened to reveal whether he was a Real Madrid or the Barcelona soccer team supporter.
"The pope is for all teams, Prevost is for Real Madrid," he told reporters, a reference to his name before his election to the papacy.
According to CNN, Leo will hold a meeting with young people at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the home of Real Madrid football club, during his visit.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pope Leo or Bad Bunny? Pontiff says 'many' will prefer the latter
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
