The Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher, has endorsed as a «positive gesture» the regularization of immigrants promoted by the Government of Pedro Sánchez, according to Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, following his visit to Rome.
Synergy between Moncloa and the Vatican on migration policy
During his meeting at the Vatican, Albares highlighted the «great synergy» achieved with Monsignor Gallagher on international affairs, particularly emphasizing the support from the Vatican’s diplomatic chief for the recent migration regularization measure adopted by the Spanish Executive.
The minister presented this coincidence as a key point of understanding between Spain and the Holy See, in line with the defense of human dignity and the multilateral approach that both parties claim to share on migration matters.
Gallagher has defended on various occasions the need for a coordinated response to migratory flows, based on welcoming, integration, and international cooperation, insisting that the migration issue must be addressed from a humanitarian perspective.
Unexpected audience with Pope Leo XIV
Albares’ visit to the Vatican was also marked by a private audience with Pope Leo XIV, not initially scheduled in the official agenda. The 20-minute meeting was interpreted by the minister as a gesture of closeness toward Spain.
During the meeting, the Foreign Minister delivered to the Pontiff the formal invitation for his upcoming visit to the country, scheduled for June, which will include stops in Madrid, Barcelona, Tenerife, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Brief press conference without questions
Despite the relevance of the meetings, Albares offered a brief press conference in which he avoided delving into sensitive issues of national current affairs. The minister, who arrived late and accompanied by a large entourage, did not answer questions and abruptly ended his intervention.
The official balance of the trip insists on the «enormous synergy» with the Holy See, especially on migration matters, where Gallagher’s support for the regularization promoted by Sánchez marks a point of coincidence that is not without controversy in the Spanish public debate.