As Infovaticana reported in an exclusive yesterday afternoon, the information from El País was a hoax. The Spanish Episcopal Conference has come forward to address the information published about alleged statements by Pope Leo XIV during his audience with the Executive Commission on November 17th.
In a note disseminated after the meeting held today in Madrid, the Executive Commission of the CEE clearly denies the interpretation offered by the aforementioned media and clarifies the real content of the meeting with the Holy Father:
In light of the news appearing in the newspaper El País about alleged statements by Pope Leo XIV, in his audience with the Executive Commission of the Spanish Episcopal Conference on November 17th, this Executive Commission, meeting today in Madrid, wishes to state the following:
Pope Leo XIV received us with special affection, listened to the interventions of all the members of the Commission, and encouraged us in the evangelizing commitment in which the Church in Spain is engaged. The Holy Father also encouraged us to communion among all the members and institutions that make up the Church.
In the dialogue, the Holy Father reflected, among other things, on the risks of subjecting faith to ideologies without mentioning any specific group. We want to express our respect and adherence to the Pope and welcome his call to evangelizing communion in the society in which we live with all its challenges.