Barcelona City Council has waived a €78,000 fee for the Catholic Church to use the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Montjuïc. This decision facilitates a papal vigil on June 9, part of Pope Leo XIV's two-day visit to the Catalan capital, and has ignited a political debate.
Deputy Mayor Laia Bonet defended the move during a municipal urban planning commission meeting on Tuesday. She explained that BSM, the municipal company managing the venue, chose not to charge the fee. Bonet stated the event serves "public interest" and is a "service to the citizenry," not a symbol of "adherence to any confession."
Barcelona en Comú, however, strongly questioned the decision. Councillor Guille López stated his party does not oppose the Pope's visit, but believes the council is making a "hidden donation to the Church." He criticised, "It is not just a free transfer, but we cover operational costs inside and out, a true blank cheque."
Papal Vigil Expects Thousands
The Spanish Episcopal Conference published the Pope's itinerary, confirming the stadium will host a "prayer vigil" for nearly 40,000 people. Organisers of the Catalan leg of the visit detailed that the vigil will include musical performances and a message from the Pope specifically for young people. The 17,500 free tickets offered for the event sold out in just 20 minutes.
Pope Leo XIV's expedition to Spain includes a significant stop in Barcelona to bless the Jesus Tower that crowns the Sagrada Família. Deputy Mayor Bonet emphasised the "importance" of the pontiff's visit to Barcelona. She expressed, "It is an honour that we can receive him," and praised the Pope's "timely message" when compared to "leaders like Trump, Putin or Netanyahu, who only speak of war."
Council Decision Process
Bonet clarified that the fee waiver was not a "discretionary decision." Instead, it resulted from a "majority agreement" by the board of directors of BSM, the municipal company responsible for the Estadi Olímpic. She added that "hundreds of thousands of citizens, from diverse backgrounds and motivations," expressed their desire to participate in the vigil on June 9.
The Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) aligned with Barcelona en Comú in their criticism of the council's decision. Conversely, Junts, the People's Party (PP), and Vox publicly supported the Pope's event on Montjuïc. This shows a clear political split within the city council regarding the use of public funds for religious events.
Impact on Public Facilities Policy
This incident highlights ongoing discussions in Barcelona regarding the appropriate use of public facilities for religious gatherings and the separation of church and state. The vigil will proceed as planned, bringing a large international and local audience to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. The debate may influence future policies concerning similar requests for public venue usage.
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Originally published by El Periódico Barcelona. Read original article.
