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Prime Minister Sánchez's Vatican Meeting with the Pope Overshadowed by Raid on His Party's Headquarters in Madrid

Spanish police searched PSOE offices as Sánchez met Pope Leo XIV, deepening pressure on his party amid an inquiry into alleged irregular financial activity.

  • On May 27, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican for a 45-minute audience, ten days before the Pope's planned trip to Spain; Sánchez received formal honours including a Swiss Guard guard of honour and greeting from Archbishop Petar Rajic, Prefect of the Papal Household.
  • Guardia Civil searches at PSOE headquarters in Madrid investigating alleged irregular financial activity and misuse of public funds shadowed the Vatican visit, with judicial inquiries also examining former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos's conduct.
  • Sánchez met Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, following his papal audience and coordinated details for Pope Leo XIV's forthcoming tour of Madrid, Barcelona, Gran Canaria and Tenerife with senior Vatican diplomatic officials.
  • Both leaders demonstrated alignment on immigration policy and opposition to Trump's military initiatives, with Sánchez accompanied by Ambassador Isabel Cela rather than his wife Begoña Gómez for the diplomatic engagement.
  • The Valley of the Fallen monument and historical cases of Catholic clergy abuse in Spain remain contentious issues for Church-State dialogue, with Pope Leo XIV's June visit to Madrid, Barcelona, Gran Canaria and Tenerife serving as a test of diplomatic cooperation.
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23 Articles

Lean Left

The Spanish left is in shock after a search on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Socialist Party, several of which are struggling with the justice system, including former Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero, who was charged with trafficking in influence.

·Paris, France
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Right

The Iberian premier learns of the investigation while he is in Rome by Pope Leo. "Elections? It is not in the interest of the country" . But Populars and Basques pressing. St. Peter's Square bitter for Pedro Sánchez, until some time ago also a little sanctified him, chief pastor of the progressive nativity scene, "hombre vertical" that shows the muscles with Usa and Israel.

Right

The vignettes of Zapatero the Reconverted 10K, the career downhill journalist ZP accused and Sánchez infected Meanwhile... Rufián falls from the horse Zapatero, accused ‘plus’ That drug trafficking is not indifferent to me Results elections of Andalusia 2026

Lean Left

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has garnered international attention for his outspoken criticism of White House policies. But at home, the pile of corruption allegations against Sánchez's inner circle is growing. On Wednesday, police launched a new raid on the headquarters of the ruling party.

·Stockholm, Sweden
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Spiegel broke the news in Germany on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
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