The Vatican confirmed a historic private meeting between Pope Leo XIV and Bad Bunny on Monday evening in Madrid. Both high-profile figures, though touring Spain for vastly different purposes, convened to engage in what the Holy See described as a cordial exchange.
According to a statement released Tuesday, the Pope greeted Bad Bunny, his family, and a select group of guests at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. The meeting occurred after the Pope’s public event at the same venue, which drew over 80,000 attendees. The Vatican emphasized that no photographs from the meeting would be made public.
Bad Bunny’s recent visit to Spain marked his first time in the country in eight years. He concluded a 10-night residency at Riyadh Air Metropolitan as part of his global tour promoting the album *Should Have Taken More Photos*. The Spanish leg of his tour underscored his growing influence as a leading Latin artist in Europe.
The Vatican noted the symbolic significance of the meeting, with Pope Leo XIV later reflecting on the intersection of modern culture and faith. Speaking aboard the papal plane, he acknowledged Bad Bunny’s appeal to younger generations, stating, “Many young people seek a spiritual dimension in their lives. They recognize an emptiness and a need for meaning.” He added, “If asked whether they’d prefer to meet Bad Bunny or the Pope, some might choose the artist. Yet, some would also choose the Pope. This says something.”