Human Tower Greeting to Pope Leo XIV

On the evening of 9 June 2026, a crowd of 40,000 people gathered at a stadium in Barcelona for a youth prayer vigil that would become a memorable display of Catalan culture. At the start of the vigil, eight‑year‑old Bruna Vall Galán rose to the top of a nearly 10‑meter (33‑foot) human tower—known in Catalan as a castell—and waved to Pope Leo XIV as the pontiff arrived aboard the popemobile.

The Castellers de Vilafranca, a celebrated team from the town of Vilafranca del Penedès, had been chosen to perform for the Pope. The group comprised more than 130 members, all wearing the traditional jade‑green shirts, white pants, tight black sashes and red bandannas with white dots. These garments provide essential gripping points, allowing castellers to climb, support one another and build the tower safely.

“Anyone can participate in a castell, regardless of age or background,” said Ernest Gallart Pérez, president of the group. “Every member has a place in the structure.” That principle was on full display as Bruna, serving as the “anxaneta” or pinnacle, climbed up the tower’s final steps, reached the top, waved to the Pope, and then descended safely.

Bruna’s mother, Maria Vall Camell, and other team members shared the feeling that the human towers are a visible symbol of Catalan identity. The tower’s base is formed by a large circle of people locked shoulder‑to‑shoulder, with their heads and arms interlocked. Members then climb higher, creating a series of rings that culminate in the “anxaneta” at the top. The structure usually takes only minutes to assemble after months of rehearsal.

After the castell disbanded, Pope Leo XIV smiled broadly and the crowd erupted in cheers louder than the stadium’s football matches. The Pope’s message to young people, who had shared testimonies on depression, loneliness, anxiety and domestic violence, emphasized the importance of support networks. He encouraged anyone facing hardship to seek help and to speak openly about their experiences.

For the Castellers, the event was not merely a performance; it was a celebration of their heritage. Aida Ibañez Sadurní, who climbed the tower that night, said, “When we get everybody down, we hug each other crying, and it’s the biggest emotion.” The act of uniting generations and sharing the experience reflects Catalonia’s communal spirit.

This human tower greeting exemplified how tradition, faith and community can intersect. The Pope’s visit to Spain included other engagements, with the next event scheduled at Barcelona’s Sagrada Família to honor a centenary tied to Antoni Gaudí’s iconic tower. The historic day thus fused cultural pride with spiritual outreach, leaving a lasting impression on both the city’s residents and its visitors.