Security forces evict choir at Sagrada Familia after uncovering plan to display pro-independence flags during papal ceremony.
Newsroom (11/06/2026 Gaudium Press ) Security forces intervened at Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia to remove approximately 600 choir members who had allegedly planned to stage a pro-independence demonstration during a high-profile religious ceremony attended by Pope Leo XIV. The incident unfolded during the blessing of the Tower of Jesus at the iconic Expiatory Temple, where the choir had intended to display Catalan independence flags and sing Els Segadors, the region’s anthem.
According to details surrounding the operation, members of the choir had concealed esteladas—Catalan independence flags—within their sheet music. Their plan also involved altering the official program of the pyrotechnic musical show that concluded the event, inserting the anthem unexpectedly into the performance. However, security personnel identified the hidden flags before the demonstration could take place and acted quickly, escorting the singers out through a side exit on Mallorca Street.
A Controlled and Peaceful Eviction
The eviction was carried out without incident. The choir members, dressed in their coordinated outfits, remained outside the basilica for approximately fifteen minutes under police supervision. This delay ensured that the departure of Pope Leo XIV, alongside the King and Queen and other dignitaries, proceeded without disruption.
While some choir members later claimed that only a limited number of participants had been involved in the plan—printing pro-independence flags directly onto their sheet music—security authorities opted to remove the entire group as a precautionary measure. No confrontations or acts of violence were reported during the operation.
Officials affiliated with the Sagrada Familia defended the decision, emphasizing the nature of the venue. As a religious space, the basilica maintains strict rules prohibiting the display of flags during services. They also confirmed that Els Segadors was never part of the approved program.
Event Continues Without Disruption
Despite the unexpected removal of the choir, the ceremony continued seamlessly. Organizers substituted the live musical performance with a recorded version, ensuring that attendees remained largely unaware of the disruption. The secrecy surrounding the event’s staging contributed to this smooth transition, as the program had been deliberately designed to surprise the audience.
Outside the basilica, however, several of the expelled choir members proceeded to sing Els Segadors and El cant de la senyera. Some also shouted pro-independence slogans, including calls for “Independence,” turning the surrounding streets into an impromptu site of protest.
Broader Protest Efforts
The attempted demonstration inside the Sagrada Familia was not an isolated act. Reports indicate that pro-independence activists pursued multiple avenues to stage protests during the Pope’s visit. During Leo XIV’s one-kilometer journey in the popemobile along Rosellón Street, singer-songwriter Lluís Llach and members of the Catalan National Assembly attempted to approach the procession carrying independence flags. Police blocked their access before they could reach the route.
Authorities later suggested that this effort may have been a diversion, meant to draw attention away from the more strategically planned action inside the basilica, where a live international broadcast was underway.
In the days leading up to the event, pro-independence groups had mobilized campaigns aimed at increasing the visibility of their cause during the papal visit. Political voices, including Junts per Catalunya, criticized what they perceived as insufficient use of the Catalan language in official proceedings. Initiatives were launched to fill public appearances with independence symbols, but turnout proved limited. Demonstrations in Plaça de la Catedral and Montserrat drew modest participation, and only a small number of independence flags appeared during the popemobile procession, outnumbered by Vatican and even Peruvian flags.
Ultimately, Pope Leo XIV delivered multiple speeches in Catalan over the course of his two-day visit, a gesture acknowledged positively by exiled politician Carles Puigdemont on social media.
Political Repercussions
The incident has already triggered political responses. Mònica Sales, spokesperson for Junts, announced that her party would submit formal questions in the Catalan Parliament seeking clarification from the Generalitat regarding the conduct of security forces. This move comes despite the acknowledgment that the eviction was carried out peacefully and without escalation.
The episode highlights the persistent tension between political expression and institutional protocols, particularly in spaces such as the Sagrada Familia that straddle religious, cultural, and international significance. While authorities emphasized security and respect for the sanctity of the temple, pro-independence activists continue to seek visibility for their cause on highly symbolic stages.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Infocatholica
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