# Spanish Prime Minister's Absence from Religious Funeral Sparks Public Scrutiny Pedro Sánchez faces criticism for skipping the Urda train crash funeral citing secular principles. - **Source:** [20minutos](https://www.20minutos.es) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d2e92a67-0ac9-4db7-bb0a-9da55af0e1cd ## Toledo Funeral Ceremony King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia attended a funeral mass at the Toledo Cathedral for the 69 victims of the October 28 Urda train accident. While the royal couple and various political leaders were present, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez notably skipped the religious service, sparking significant public debate regarding his attendance. ## Sánchez's Stated Rationale Sánchez defended his absence by distinguishing between secular state events and religious ceremonies. He stated that while he attends secular commemorations for tragedies, he avoids religious services out of respect for their nature. This explanation mirrors his previous decision to skip the funeral for victims of the Adamuz train accident. ## Contradictory Attendance Record Public scrutiny has intensified due to Sánchez's history of attending Catholic funeral services since taking office in 2018. He was present at the funerals of Montserrat Caballé, David Sassoli, and Guillermo Fernández Vara. These appearances in churches or basilicas directly challenge his claim that he consistently avoids all religious funeral rites. ## Specific Past Appearances In 2018, Sánchez attended the funeral of soprano Montserrat Caballé at Les Corts. In 2022, he traveled to Rome for the funeral of European Parliament President David Sassoli at the Basilica of Santa María de los Ángeles. Most recently, in 2025, he attended the funeral of former Extremadura President Guillermo Fernández Vara. ## Additional Religious Engagements Beyond funeral services, Sánchez attended a mass celebrated by the Pope at the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona in 2026. Furthermore, as opposition leader in 2015, he participated in a mass for the victims of the Germanwings crash. These events demonstrate a complex pattern of attendance that complicates his current stated policy. ## Urda Tragedy Context The Urda accident claimed 69 lives, leaving families and the nation in deep mourning. During the Toledo mass, Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves called for a thorough investigation into the causes of the crash. He emphasized the need for accountability and justice for the families affected by this devastating rail disaster. ## Governmental Representation Despite the Prime Minister's absence, the government was represented by the First Vice President and Minister of Economy, Carlos Cuerpo. Several other cabinet ministers, including those of Defense, Education, Housing, and Health, also attended the service. Regional leaders like Emiliano García-Page and opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo were also present. ## Ongoing Political Implications The discrepancy between Sánchez's stated secular stance and his past participation in religious ceremonies remains a point of contention. As the government faces pressure to address the Urda tragedy's causes, the Prime Minister's selective attendance at public mourning events continues to draw critical attention from both the public and political observers. ## Sources covering this story - [20minutos — Spanish Royals Attend Funeral Mass for Urda Train Accident Victims](https://www.20minutos.es/nacional/sigue-directo-misa-funeral-por-las-69-victimas-accidente-urda_7059473_0.html) - [20minutos — Pedro Sánchez's Attendance at Religious Ceremonies Faces Public Scrutiny](https://www.20minutos.es/nacional/sassoli-caballe-vara-los-actos-catolicos-los-que-si-acudio-pedro-sanchez-pese-que-dice-ahora-que-no-acude-oficios-religiosos_7059185_0.html) - [La Vanguardia — Toledo Cathedral Hosts Funeral for Urda Train Crash Victims](https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20261110/11681020/funeral-victimas-accidente-choque-de-trenes-urda-toledo-ultima-hora-hoy-en-directo.html) - [ABC España – Portada — Spain Mourns 69 Victims of Urda Train Tragedy in Toledo](https://www.abc.es/espana/funeral-victimas-urda-exige-esclarezcan-causas-asuman-20261110195633-nt.html) - [ABC España – Portada — Spain Mourns Victims of Tragic Urda Train Accident](https://www.abc.es/espana/espana-llora-catedral-20261110210030-nt.html) - [Euronews – Latest — Spain Honors 69 Victims of Deadly Train Collision in Toledo](https://www.euronews.com/video/2026/11/10/spain-69-candles-lit-at-toledo-cathedral-for-train-crash-victims) - [Africanews — Spain Honors 69 Victims of Deadly Train Collision](http://www.africanews.com/2026/11/10/spain-69-candles-lit-at-toledo-cathedral-for-train-crash-victims/) - [El Mundo – España — Spain Mourns Victims of Urda Train Collision at Toledo Cathedral](https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2026/11/10/6af34bbde9cf4aed4e8b4597.html) - [El Mundo – España — Toledo Mourns Urda Train Victims Amid Political Tensions](https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2026/11/10/6af339c3fdddff9e3e8b45ae.html) --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._