His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received the Governing Board of the Círculo Ecuestre in a private audience this Monday in Vatican City, on the occasion of the 170th anniversary of the institution, founded in Barcelona in 1856.
The meeting, held in the pontifical apartments, represents a moment of particular relevance for the Club within the framework of this historic commemoration. The delegation of the Círculo Ecuestre was led by its president, Enrique Lacalle, who conveyed to the Holy Father the trajectory of the entity, its link with Barcelona, and its vocation to continue being a space for dialogue, coexistence, and reflection at the service of society.
During the audience, the representatives of the Club had the opportunity to share with Pope Leo XIV the evolution of the Círculo Ecuestre over nearly two centuries of history, as well as the role that the institution has played as a meeting point for the civil, economic, cultural, and institutional society of Barcelona.
Following the meeting, Enrique Lacalle highlighted the significance of the audience for the institution: "It has been an immense honor that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has received the Governing Board of the Círculo Ecuestre at such a special time for our institution. Celebrating 170 years of history means looking back with pride, recognizing the legacy of those who have made the Club great, and, at the same time, reaffirming our commitment to the future." The president also underlined the entity's vocation for service and its will for continuity: "During the audience, we were able to share with the Holy Father the trajectory of the Círculo Ecuestre, its vocation of service to Barcelona, and its will to continue being a space for dialogue, coexistence, and reflection at the service of society."
Furthermore, the audience acquires a singular meaning as it takes place just a few weeks before the Pontiff's official visit to Spain. For the Círculo Ecuestre, this meeting in the Vatican constitutes a unique occasion within the commemorative acts of its anniversary and a demonstration of the institution's historical link with Barcelona, civil society, and major spaces for institutional encounters.
"His words encourage us to continue working with responsibility, keeping alive the foundational spirit of the Club and reinforcing our role as a plural, open meeting point committed to the social, economic, and cultural progress of our environment," added Enrique Lacalle.
The delegation of the Círculo Ecuestre was composed, in addition to the president, of vice presidents Ignacio Marull, Antonio Gámiz, Luis Conde, and Isabel Estany; the secretary, José Ignacio Garmendia; the members of the Governing Board, Ramón Agenjo, Luis Badrinas, José María Cardellach, Jordi Casas, Carlos Durán, Álvaro Echevarría, Ricardo Fernández Deu, Jordi García Tabernero, Anna Gener, Tirso Gracia, Pere Guardiola, Sergio Martínez, Alberto Missé, Jordi Morral, Isabel Perea, Daniel Puig, Aurora Sanz, Luis Sans Mercé, Miguel Tarazón, Helena Torras, and Carlos Tusquets.
Also present were the general director of the Club, David Galán; the president of the Senate of the Círculo Ecuestre, Antonio Gámiz; the secretary of the Senate, Enrique Salvia; and the president of the Youth Committee, Emilio Zegrí.