Rueda asks the Apostle to "restore the integrity" of a Spain "tainted by improper practices."

The president of the Xunta, Alfonso Rueda , who served as royal delegate for the Offering to the Apostle Santiago , has urged "the recovery of integrity and respect for the law" in a Spain "engulfed in extreme polarization" and "tainted by practices unworthy of decent people."

In his speech at the Cathedral, Rueda called on the Apostle, "Lord Santiago," to "restore the credibility and legitimacy of organizations and institutions" in the country.

In this way, he launched a petition to the Apostle Saint James for "inspiration and wisdom for all leaders" and "people who face decisions that impact the lives of others," in addition to calling for the construction of a "prosperous" Galicia.

The Cathedral of Santiago , as is traditional every July 25, Day of Galicia , has hosted the Eucharist to commemorate the Apostle Santiago, patron saint of Spain, in which civil and military authorities have participated.

Among those present at this mass were the President of the Galician Parliament, Miguel Santalices; the Government Delegate in Galicia, Pedro Blanco; and the President of the Popular Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo. Previously, in the Praza do Obradoiro Square, the Mayor of Santiago, Goretti Sanmartín, participated in the greeting of the authorities.

Against tourismophobia

Rueda's speech began with a defense of "traditions and history" such as this National Offering to the Apostle Saint James, after which he continued by invoking the Apostle's protection for the King of Spain, Felipe VI, so that he "continues to carry out with success and exemplary conduct the high responsibilities that correspond to him, especially at a time like the present, when role models of personal and institutional integrity are needed."

The head of the Galician government noted that pilgrims have been arriving in Santiago for millennia in "an incessant flow," which, he said, "is increasingly intense, it's true."

However, he called for "overcoming the temptation of tourismophobia." " There can and should be room for everyone," he asserted.

He emphasizes that today's "plural and tolerant Europe," a "pioneer in the defense of human rights," is the heir to Christian values.

Rueda then listed various hopes for the challenges of the future: "To offer quality public services; to cultivate a culture of effort and respect; to delve deeper into the historical, cultural, and linguistic wealth of which we are the custodians; to overcome the housing crisis; to successfully manage the challenges arising from the emergence of artificial intelligence; to banish forever the scourge of violence, especially gender-based violence; to replace insults with dialogue and respect for those who think differently."

In a speech alternating between Spanish and Galician, the president of the Xunta calls for "success" to achieve an "egalitarian" society in which "merit, ability, and effort" prevail, but also a society of solidarity.

He has also pledged to "comply with and comply with the law," both in "the distribution of tax burdens" and "in the distribution of public resources to equalize the provision of services to all Spaniards," as well as "in solidarity between territories."

Here, Alfonso Rueda called for "an end to the mafias that profit from the illegal trafficking of innocent people who are simply seeking a better future for themselves and their families," just as Galicians have done "for a long time" through emigration. However, he demands "properly regulating immigration."

The Archbishop of Santiago, Francisco José Prieto , has said he is "raising his voice" in defense of migrants and refugees at the traditional Offering to the Apostle, as he considers it "unacceptable" to use them "as a political weapon," "when they are already accumulating pain from uprooting and the abuse of mafias." "They must be welcomed within the framework of legality and fraternity," he asserted, in addition to expressing his "strongest condemnation: no racist violence or collective criminalization."

In his speech, Prieto also launched a message of "peace" to end the "barbarism" in Gaza. "Let's put an end to this dramatic humanitarian situation now," he declared. He also called for an end to the "suffering of the Ukrainian people in a senseless war."

"Although we cannot change the entire world, we can transform our surroundings with concrete actions: welcoming, accompanying, sharing, denouncing injustice, sowing reconciliation. Because every small act of love counts. Every just word, every open door, every gesture of tenderness in the midst of the harshness of the world is already a sign of the coming kingdom," said Francisco José Prieto.