MADRID (RNS) — Pope Leo XIV made an appeal to cast aside polarization in his address on Saturday (June 6) to political and diplomatic heads in Madrid, the first leg of his 6-day papal visit to Spain. The pope encouraged Europeans to become proponents of a more nuanced political and social discourse.

“Today, the temptation to gain popularity by fanning the flames of polarization seems to have grown rather than diminished, and human dignity continues to be violated,” he said, calling for “culture, interiority and free quality of education.”

“For the love of truth, I invite everyone to set aside the divisive and polarizing narratives of your societal reality and history, so as to overcome sterile simplifications through the fruitful appreciation of complexity,” he said.

Leo said “appreciating and studying complexity” is “a vocation particularly suited to Europe,” which can allow it to escape a logic centered on “the enemy.” He warned that new technologies are increasing prejudice and weakening critical thinking. “Nevertheless, goodness can prevail and spread,” he added.

The pope chose to deliver his message of unity and dialogue to Spain, a country that like many others in the West is marked by political and social polarization over issues ranging from migration to abortion.

José Restán, editorial director of the Spanish Catholic Radio COPE, said it had become a serious problem that people saw “the other” as an enemy. He said the pope’s visit offered Spain a chance to hear a moral voice for an “entire society that must raise its gaze,” referring to the motto of the papal trip, “Alza la Mirada” (Raise your Gaze).

The pope’s first stop in the country was the royal palace, where he was greeted by the King of Spain Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, as cannons blasted in the courtyard. The Catholic monarchs had a private meeting with the pontiff, before he delivered his speech to political and diplomatic authorities.

Leo said he is visiting Spain to “affirm, encourage and instill a renewed fidelity to the Gospel among believers, as well as a deeper reconciliation and collaboration among the various elements of this nation.”

He underscored his message of peace, already a key theme of his young pontificate, stating that it strikes some “ as naive and others as confrontational.” But the world “cries out from its depths for peace, for a new understanding of the human person and its inviolable dignity, for a civilization of love,” he added.

The pope made the case to invest in education and security, which he said is less about drawing weapons and building walls than it is working side by side with others to overcome divisions. He also addressed the need to continue dialogue with Islam.

This story will be updated.