Pope Leo XIV’s visit has been a deeply moving occasion for the faithful, particularly his time in Barcelona and his blessing of the Sagrada Família. Joan Hernández, a sociologist and lecturer in the Faculty of Communication Sciences, is also the diocesan director of interreligious relations for the Archdiocese of Barcelona and a member of the Parliament of Catalonia's Religious Affairs Intergroup. As director of the GTER, he was responsible for ensuring that the various religious denominations were represented during the Pope’s visit to the Sagrada Família; denominations which were acknowledged at the beginning of the homily.

“The presence of members of the Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, Orthodox, Sikh, Bahá’í, Hindu, Buddhist and Protestant communities and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints showed that the Sagrada Família, beyond its Christian significance, can also be a space for encounter, shared beauty and fraternity,” explains Joan Hernández. Participants described the event as “wonderful” and “historic”, a genuine experience of “communion in beauty and love”.

“First the experience, then, with love, transfer”

Drawing on Antoni Gaudí’s famous quote, “first love, then technique”, Joan Hernández adapted the phrase to the academic context: “First the experience, then, with love, transfer.” In Hernández’s view, the presence of various religious traditions during Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Barcelona represents an example of knowledge transfer.

“You place the experience you accrue as a lecturer in certain areas of work at the service of others, with love, so that everyone may share, discover and experience it together. We don’t want it to be confined to the library, but for it to have an impact on and transform society,” he argues.

Accordingly, Joan Hernández believes that the message of peace and reconciliation conveyed by the Holy Father during his time in Spain has provided a “boost” for many people who feel "disconcerted” by technological developments. The Encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIV on 15 May 2026 focuses precisely on the protection of the human person in the age of artificial intelligence.

“I believe that religious communities will play a vital role in the process of humanisation and integration, as community spaces in which social relationships are formed, in the shaping and evolution of AI as an emerging technology,” holds the sociologist.

Gagandeep Singh Khalsa, coordinator of Sikh de Catalunya, and Rev. Thubten Wangchen, director of casa del Tíbet

Message of peace and reconciliation

According to Joan Hernández, the Holy Father’s visit to Spain has left a message of “peace and reconciliation that was present in all his appearances.” “The Pontiff highlighted the power of dialogue, the need to create spaces for encounter and the importance of human dignity.” The Pope also defended religious freedom in his address to the Congress of Deputies, one of the main objectives of the Interreligious Council of Catalonia (GTER), the organisation headed by Joan Hernández.

Interreligious Council of Catalonia (GTER)

The Interreligious Council of Catalonia (GTER) is a network of religious denominations that works jointly to promote dialogue, prevent conflicts, overcome prejudice and contribute to a more plural, cohesive and religiously diverse and respectful Catalan society.

Its objectives include raising awareness of different religious expressions, fostering closer ties between religious and secular groups, addressing the needs of religious communities, preventing interreligious conflicts and advising public authorities on matters related to religion. Its decisions are adopted by consensus and unanimously.

For Joan Hernández, the Council’s participation reaffirms the importance of ongoing efforts “to ensure that major religious, cultural and institutional events in Catalonia also serve as opportunities to highlight pluralism, promote coexistence and strengthen bonds of fraternity among the different religious traditions,” he concludes.