Democracy Dies in Darkness
Pope Leo XIV, who was once considered reserved, is now drawing tremendous crowds. His charismatic presence captivates followers, offering them a sense of assured faith.
June 7, 2026 at 1:13 p.m. EDT
Yesterday at 1:13 p.m. EDT
Pope Leo XIV joined a mass gathering at Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid on Sunday. (Bernat Armangue/AP)
In Madrid over the weekend, there was a fascinating intersection of religious and popular culture. Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, serves as the spiritual leader to 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. Meanwhile, Bad Bunny, a hugely popular Puerto Rican reggaeton artist, has achieved over 123 billion streams on Spotify, highlighting his cultural influence.
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