Leo XIV has come to Spain to deliver a speech of inclusion and respect, “the resistance to the imposition of a single meaning,” as Jan Patocka said, although it is hard to believe coming from the highest authority of an institution founded on belief and dogma, that is, the unprovable, and all that follows from it in both theory and practice. But Leo XIV is a pope who gets involved in what is happening in the world, beyond religious debate. He has demonstrated this since his arrival by building his image –in his transition from the American to the global stage– with a clear opposition to Trump and his delusional frivolity.
On a visit to Spain, beyond liturgical and theological rhetoric, one could say that in politics the Pope has focused his discourse against the discrimination of people and the disregard for opponents, with a reiteration of appeals for reconciliation and respect for everyone, for the recognition of the dignity of the other. And with an insistence on two concepts that currently mark political confrontation: national priority and immigration, thus leaving the Spanish right somewhat unsettled. Right now, the PP is closing agreements with the far-right, that is, taking another step towards the post-democratic authoritarianism it had previously been denying. What’s more, the papal visit coincided with the negotiation for Vox to join the majority that is to re-elect Moreno Bonilla, who was reputed to represent the most moderate wing of the party, as president of Andalusia.
But it all goes even further. It is not just the Spanish right, it is the European Union itself that is impetuously throwing itself against the pariahs who come from outside, with the Austrian commissioner Magnus Brunner leading with authoritarian sufficiency his “project to put European house in order”, which for him means immigrant detention centers, mass deportations, returns agreed with the countries of origin. “Only 20% of those whose asylum application is denied return to their country,” says the commissioner. There must be a reason for that. But Europe closes itself off to reality, it prefers to deny what is evident. And so the shift towards post-democratic authoritarianism continues at the pace set by European neo-fascisms across the continent. Something is wrong when the Pope comes to challenge European politicians for their dehumanizing demagoguery of people who bother them. And Brussels continues to tighten the screw: threatening those who arrive, with impunity for the gangs that exploit them.
