Pope Leo XIV jokes young Spaniards would pick Bad Bunny over him during Madrid visit this weekend

Pope Leo XIV joked Saturday that helium knows who would triumph if young radical had to take betwixt seeing him oregon Latin popular vocalist Bad Bunny this weekend.

The Pope, who began a weeklong sojourn to Spain connected Saturday, acknowledged that helium is competing for attraction with the Puerto Rican superstar portion successful Madrid. Many young Spaniards, helium suggested, would apt take the Grammy-winning creator implicit the pontiff.

"If they are confronted with the question ‘Do you privation to spell spot Bad Bunny oregon bash you privation to spell to spot the pope?’ I deliberation galore volition spot Bad Bunny," Leo told reporters aboard the papal level earlier his arrival.

"But I deliberation determination volition besides beryllium a fewer present to spot the pope," helium added. "And that says something, you know."

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Pope Leo XIV told reporters that galore young radical would apt take to spot Bad Bunny implicit the pontiff if fixed the choice. (Mariano Regidor/Getty Images; Gregorio Borgia/AP)

Bad Bunny, whose existent sanction is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is presently performing a 10-show tally successful Madrid arsenic portion of his Spanish tour.

Leo raised the examination portion discussing what helium described arsenic signs of a spiritual awakening among immoderate young radical successful Spain.

The pope said galore young adults look to beryllium searching for meaning and expressed anticipation that his sojourn could assistance "awaken" thing wrong them.

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Pope Leo XIV was archetypal brought to the Vatican by Francis to service arsenic prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops successful January 2023, which is 1 of the astir important positions successful the Catholic Church arsenic it vets bishop nominations issued globally. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP)

Despite his remarks, thousands of young Catholics turned retired to greet the pope.

An estimated 500,000 radical gathered successful a Madrid plaza Saturday evening for a supplication vigil, chanting, "This is the younker of the pope!"

Leo aboriginal rode done the assemblage successful his popemobile portion a Spanish rendition of the 1970s philharmonic "Godspell" played.

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Bad Bunny speaks during the Super Bowl LX halftime amusement property league astatine Moscone Center connected Feb. 5, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

The Chicago-born pope was besides asked astir reports that the Chicago Bears could soon determination retired of Illinois.

The team's committee of directors voted Thursday to beforehand a projected stadium improvement task successful Hammond, Indiana.

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"That’s retired of my wage (scale)," Leo quipped erstwhile asked astir the imaginable relocation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.