Pope warns of growing mental health crisis, domestic violence at Barcelona Vigil
Key takeaways
- Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday urged greater attention to mental health after hearing emotional testimonies from young people at a prayer vigil in Barcelona, including a woman who described surviving a suicide attempt.
- After a woman who tried to commit suicide told her story, the pope said public health systems should prioritise tackling the "invisible and widespread malaise" in mental health.
- "It is important to recognise how mental health is increasingly threatened in the context of societies that consider themselves advanced," the pope said.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday urged greater attention to mental health after hearing emotional testimonies from young people at a prayer vigil in Barcelona, including a woman who described surviving a suicide attempt. He called on public health systems to address the "invisible and widespread malaise" of depression and warned that mental well-being is increasingly under threat.
By: FRANCE 24 Pope Leo XIV waves to the faithful outside the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia after attending midday prayers, during his apostolic journey, Barcelona, Spain, June 9, 2026 © Yara Nardi, Reuters Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday spoke about depression and domestic violence after hearing dramatic personal testimonies from young people at a prayer vigil in Barcelona.
After a woman who tried to commit suicide told her story, the pope said public health systems should prioritise tackling the "invisible and widespread malaise" in mental health.