Cardinal Juan José Omella calls for calm after Barcelona unrest

Cardinal Juan José Omella, the archbishop of Barcelona, issued a statement on Sunday calling for calm following riots in the city center. The unrest occurred Saturday night during a student protest organized through social media. According to reports, the disturbances resulted in 128 arrests, 56% of whom were minors, and left 14 agents injured, including four seriously.

Omella described the events as scenes of gratuitous violence, looting, and destruction that cause surprise and pain. He warned against a spiral of violence and confrontation, stating that such actions do not provide solutions but instead worsen existing problems. The cardinal noted that the riots raise questions regarding the underlying causes of such outbreaks.

The archbishop urged citizens to avoid polarizing language that presents people as irreconcilable enemies. He stated that the right to live in peace is achieved through respect for others and rules of coexistence. Omella also called for solidarity with the most vulnerable and invited people to pray for peace in the city and in their hearts.