In a world that moves at breakneck speed, José Luis Martínez-Almeida has decided to slow down to reconnect with what truly matters.  The mayor of Madrid, who recently made a radical change in his personal life, sits down to talk not as the politician managing a metropolis, but as the grateful son, the disciplined opposition member, and, above all, the new father who has discovered that God’s timing doesn’t always align with human time .

The rebellion of starting a family

For Almeida, true rebellion today lies not in grand pronouncements, but in the everyday: getting married and having a child on the cusp of 50. ”  At my age, there’s no need to resign oneself or rush into things,” he confesses humorously, admitting that his son Lucas has brought a “completely different” perspective on life .  He describes fatherhood as a “divine gift” and jokes that the little one already has “the makings of a civil service candidate” because of his discipline when it comes to eating and sleeping .

Pope Francis’s advice at the Vatican

One of the most revealing moments of the interview is when the mayor recounts his private audience with Pope Francis . Far from any formal protocol, Almeida asked the Pope for advice as a Catholic in public life.  The Pontiff’s response was direct and can be summarized in three pillars that guide his administration today: “Be courageous and don’t hide,” “never renounce your principles,” and “the ultimate limit is respect for life and the dignity of the person . “

Managing from the recognition of the other

Recalling the toughest moments of his term, such as the pandemic, Almeida highlights a spiritual and human lesson: the shift from seeing adversaries to recognizing people .  During the “village agreements,” councilors of opposing ideologies sat down to work for the common good .  “We recognized each other as people who aspired to the same thing,” he affirms, emphasizing that his faith helps him not to “sugarcoat” who he is, even earning the respect of those who do not share his beliefs .

A faith that is “lived,” not just “inherited”

Born into a large family of six children, the mayor attributes his moral compass to the example of his parents, especially  his mother, Ángela, from whom he learned the value of selfless public commitment through her work in Catholic education .  For Almeida, faith is not a Sunday accessory, but a “return to basics” that includes reading the Gospel daily, a habit he maintains even during the busiest days in Cibeles .

Ahead of the Pope’s historic visit to Madrid, the mayor is convinced that the city will be filled with “grace” and encourages everyone, believers or not, to listen to a “moral compass” who always has something to contribute to the public debate .