Santiago Abascal, the leader of the far-right Vox party, made headlines on Monday during a campaign rally in Salamanca by labeling the Pope's recent warning regarding the rise of far-right movements in Spain as merely an invention. He accused a bishop of the Spanish Episcopal Conference of concocting the claim, which he stated was aimed at discrediting the concerns of Vox and its supporters. This statement underscores Abascal's ongoing conflict with the Catholic Church, which with Pope Francis at the forefront, has voiced fears about how extreme right groups are appropriating religious authority to attract votes from Catholic citizens.

In his remarks, Abascal attempted to pivot the conversation back to what he deems 'real problems' faced by citizens, criticizing the press for allegedly failing to report on these issues. He dismissed not only the Pope's warning but also recent polling from Sigma Dos indicating a potential decline in Vox's support in upcoming regional elections. This confrontation with the Pope and his subsequent comments seem to reflect a broader strategy by Abascal to position himself as a defender of traditional values against perceived external influences, including immigration and media bias.

Abascal's statements came in the context of a campaign that is increasingly focused on nationalist sentiments and immigration control, which are central themes of Vox's platform. By rejecting the Pope's concerns, he not only defends his party's ideology but also solidifies his stance against what he sees as excessive political correctness and outside interference in Spain's sociopolitical landscape. This dynamic illustrates the ongoing tension between the Vox party and established religious and political institutions in Spain, setting the stage for a highly contentious electoral season ahead.