In Barcelona, Pope Leo gets welcomed by a human tower

(9 Jun 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Barcelona, Spain - 9 June 2026 1. Pope in popemobile in stadium, passing in front of castellers 2. Various of castellers climbing on each other to make a tower then climbing back down 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Giovanna Dell'Orto, The Associated Press: "Pope Leo XIV is getting a special Catalan treat on his first night in Barcelona. The group Castellers de Vilafranca have gathered about 130 of them to build a human tower. They're called the Castels. They're a fundamental part of Catalan identity. To the people who build them and train for months to do this, they're not just a spectacular feat of equilibrium and strength and poise, but they symbolise what can be achieved when working together. The tiniest shake is a huge problem, especially for the "anxaneta", an 8-year-old girl who's going to climb up tonight 8 levels of 4 people standing on each other's shoulders, to wave to the Pope and the thousands of people in the crowd. People here from the Castellers say that it's a special honour to do this for Pope Leo and to showcase this essential part of their identity." 4. Various of castellers climbing down at end of the performance 5.⁠ Castellers cheering and waving to the crowd after they finish STORYLINE: A group of over 100 people in Barcelona gave a unique welcome to Pope Leo XIV Tuesday night -- forming a 10-metre-high human tower. Thetower drew an appreciative applause from the pope after the smallest child, an 8-year-old girl, reached the top, waved, and then quickly shimmied down. So-called "castells" are a unique feat of equilibrium and teamwork that represent identity and culture to Catalonia. Pope Leo received a raucous welcome at the Olympic stadium in Barcelona, the second stop of his weeklong visit to Spain that has drawn huge crowds despite the country’s strong secular bent. The crowd, estimated at 40,000, erupted in cheers when Leo emerged from the stands in his popemobile and looped around the grounds. AP Video shot by Giovanna Dell'Orto =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...