The apostolic nuncio to Spain and Andorra, Monsignor Piero Pioppo, stated this Tuesday that “the Gospel of Christ must be at the center of every system.” He made this remark at the third Prayer Breakfast organized in Madrid by the Catholic Association of Propagandists (ACdP) and the San Pablo CEU University Foundation, at CEU San Pablo University, before over a hundred representatives of civil society, politics, and business.
Pioppo based his reflection on Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians. “In these times, when a new era seems to be beginning, it is not easy to discern what is most important,” the nuncio noted, adding that “impatience and shortcuts are the result of a lack of deep faith and, if I may say so, of spiritual blindness.” He concluded his address with an invocation to God’s love: “Only through His love and His tender mercy can everything begin, and everything can change and become better.”
“Joy is experienced by doing good”
The Pope’s representative also spoke about the complementarity of the different spheres —public, social, educational, and business— “for the common good of society,” and maintained that “joy is experienced perfectly only by doing good.” According to the ACdP, the gathering was conceived as a space to listen to testimonies rather than speeches, and it featured interventions by Carla Díez de Rivera, of Aid to the Church in Need; Javier Cascón, a social entrepreneur dedicated to housing for homeless people; and Manuel Martínez Sellés, president of the Madrid Medical Association.
The president of the ACdP and the CEU Foundation, José Masip, welcomed the attendees and defended that “our faith cannot remain confined to our private lives.” Masip recalled that prayer breakfasts have a long tradition in other countries. Masip presented days earlier the 28th Congress of Catholics and Public Life, which will be held from November 13 to 15 in Madrid.
Rollán calls for “banishing lies” and a Government “worthy” of Spain
Also speaking was the president of the Senate, Pedro Rollán, who shared his personal experience: “faith helps me remember that no responsibility makes us superior.” Looking to Spain’s future, he called for “banishing lies,” restoring respect and harmony, and recalled that “it is more necessary than ever to have good politicians.” Rollán also asked God for a Government “worthy of Spain.”
The event included a remembrance of the victims of the train accident in Urda (Toledo), which occurred on October 28, among them Carlos Ortiz Sanchidrián, director of the CEU Schools Area. Javier Tello, director general of the Foundation, was injured in the incident.
The nuncio, who arrived in Spain at the end of 2025, had previously urged Catholics not to be swayed by the logic of the world, as InfoVaticana reported during his visit to Tarragona for the feast of Saint Thecla.