The Pope and the reggaeton star: a private audience at the Bernabéu not even the Vatican expected
What began as a joke on social media became a news story. On 7 June, Pope Leo XIV and Bad Bunny held a private meeting at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, as first reported by 20minutos. The image, with the Pontiff dressed in white and the singer in his usual urban look, has triggered everything from memes to fierce criticism.
The symbolism of the venue and the style
The choice of the Bernabéu is no accident. The stadium, owned by Real Madrid, has become a stage for global events. But for some analysts, the gesture marks a departure from traditional Vatican protocol. "The papacy ended with Benedict," sums up a sceptical camp that sees Leo XIV as excessively open to the modern world. Others, however, interpret it as a nod to young people and pop culture.
The reactions: from "lumpen" to "perreo"
The responses on social media were swift. While some call the singer a "babbling hick" and "a symbol of low-class culture", others joke that the Pope went to "grind hard". The controversy intensified when it was recalled that Bad Bunny is seen as an anti-Trump icon after his Super Bowl performance. The shadow of Kim Kardashian, who already met with Francis, looms over the debate.
The Pontiff's social agenda
Around the same time, Leo XIV condemned male violence against women in a speech broadcast by Canal Extremadura, calling for it to be tackled "as a society". The timing has fuelled speculation about the topics discussed at the meeting, although the Vatican has not leaked any details.
The encounter shows that the Church is seeking new channels of communication. But for part of public opinion, the price of modernising is the loss of majesty. Who knows whether Bad Bunny will end up singing at the Casita.
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