Seville Archbishop Meets Pope Leon XIV: A Historic First Audience

Seville Archbishop Meets Pope Leon XIV in Historic First Audience Vatican City – In a significant meeting that underscores the importance of the Catholic Church in Andalusia, Pope Leon XIV received the Archbishop of Seville, José Ángel Saiz Meneses, during his first general audience in St. Peter's Square on May 21, 2025. The encounter occurred just three days after Pope Leon XIV's inauguration mass. The meeting is especially noteworthy given the Archbishop's recent participation in the Jubilee of the Brotherhoods in Malaga, a historic event for Andalusian Holy Week. "It was a great honor to meet with His Holiness," stated Archbishop Saiz Meneses in a brief statement released to ABC de Sevilla. "We discussed the importance of faith and tradition in Andalusia, and the Pope expressed his gratitude for the participation of the Malaga brotherhoods in the Jubilee." The video released by ABC de Sevilla shows a cordial exchange between the Pope and the Archbishop. The visual confirmation of this meeting adds another layer of significance to this already important religious and political event, highlighting the strong connection between the Vatican and the Andalusian region. The Pope's acknowledgment of the Malaga brotherhoods' participation in the Jubilee further emphasizes the global reach of these deeply rooted traditions.