The Bernabéu applauds a Peruvian family

MadridAt the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, foreign players, the most important in the squad, have long been cheered. Vinícius, Rodrygo, Valverde, and Mbappé arrived in Madrid as professional athletes and, despite some racist episodes inherent in the world of football, the integration of privileged people has never been a big problem. But this Monday at the Bernabéu, another type of foreigner was being cheered, those who had to leave their homeland to find "better opportunities".

had already made it clear that he rejects the "national priority" promoted by the far-righthe had already made it clear that he rejects the "national priority" promoted by the far-right.

Therefore, it is not surprising that a not insignificant portion of those attending is of foreign origin, specifically Latin American. Like Beatriz, a middle-aged woman from El Salvador, who came captivated by the Pope's firm message on immigration because "it is very humane." The Pope also took the opportunity to advocate for the collective Church, synodality, "the ecclesial family," the act of "generating community" without people "closing themselves off" in their groups. But also that "humanity recovers its foundations".

There are also believers from other parts of the State, like Ana and Núria, two women from Segovia and Elche who came for the Corpus Christi mass and today's. "It moves us, he is the representative of Christ on Earth and we want to be close to him. We like everything he says," says Ana. But not everyone is fortunate, and there are groups of young people who were hanging around the stadium asking for tickets. All of them to see the Holy Father. A priest gave one to a boy: "Thanks to the priest I'll be able to get in, I came to see the Pope and I finally will," he says.

Madridismo

This Monday, at the curious modern stadium of Real Madrid, Leo XIV, dressed in his white tunic (just a couple of days after admitting that, even though the Pope belongs to all teams, Robert Prevost – he – is from Madrid), acted as a home player and garnered more applause than the current Merengue squad has likely received in a season to forget. At the Bernabéu, the usual chants were still heard, such as the oé, oé, oé, Madrid, Madrid changed to León, León, and even the Pope joined in the game when he celebrated a goal in the mini-match simulation that took place on stage: "The Church of Madrid has scored a great goal," he said.

The re-elected president of Madrid, Florentino Pérez, announced he would make a million-dollar offer for a player this Tuesday. Perhaps another idea to exploit the Pope's madridismo will help him finance the operation. The club shop is already selling jerseys with the name "Papa" and the number XIV in Roman numerals. "From Real Madrid... to each their own, since he's wearing white...", jokes the bishop of Tortosa, Sergi Gordo, surrounded by dozens of bishops who witnessed the event from the pitch, telling ARA.

"It's quite something that he said he's from Madrid, but it's true that he spent a lot of time in Spain," says a young man under thirty. Leo XIV did visit Spain multiple times when he was prior of the Augustinians, it's true, but the reason for his fondness is unknown.

Two years ago, Mbappé arrived at Real Madrid in a June like this, also on the weekend after Corpus Christi, and 17 years ago Cristiano Ronaldo arrived, but this year the Bernabéu has signed the Pope into its history the day before he lands in Barcelona.