During a prayer vigil on June 9, 2026, Pope Leo XIV witnessed the Castellers de Vilafranca construct a centuries‑old Catalan human tower, or castell, before a crowd of 40,000 at Barcelona’s Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium. The event highlighted unity, family and cultural identity, with the Pope smiling as the tower was dismantled.

Castellers de Vilafranca’s 40,000‑Strong Audience at Lluis Companys

According to the report,the Castellers de Vilafranca drew a crowd of roughly 40,000 people to the Olympic Stadium for the vigil. The group, known as one of Catalonia’s most esteemed casteller teams, travelled from their hometown of Vilafranca del Penedès to perform the intricate human towers. the large turnout underscores the tradition’s enduring appeal across generations.

Jade Green Shirts and Red Bandannas: The Visual Identity of Castellers

The performers wore distinctive jade‑green shirts, white pants, black sashes and red bandannas, a uniform that signals their belonging to the Castellers de Vilafranca.. The attire, highlighted in the report, is part of the visual tradition that unites participants from all ages during the construction of the castells.

From Base to Anxaneta:How a Castell Is Built

The report explains that a casteller tower begins with a solid base of interlocked participants. Smaller groups then ascend layer by layer until a child, the anxaneta,reaches the top and waves before the tower is carefully dismantled. The successful completion prompted broad smiles from Pope Leo XIV and thunderous cheers from the crowd.

What the Pope’s Presence Signals About Catalan Identity

According to the source, the Pope’s attendance underscored themes of unity, family and cultural identity.. the event served as a testament to months of rigorous practice and generations of family tradition, reinforcing the castellers’ role as living emblems of Catalonia’s heritage.