Macron and Serrano Awarded Andorra's Highest Honor at Meritxell Sanctuary

Emmanuel Macron and Josep-Lluís Serrano received Andorra's highest honour, the Creu dels Set Braços, during a ceremony at the Santuari de Meritxell that concluded the French president's official visit.

Head of Government Xavier Espot and Síndic General Carles Ensenyat presented the distinction to the two co-princes in a highly symbolic event attended by ministers, consellers generals, cònsols, judicial representatives, and figures including former head of government Albert Pintat and the archpriest of the Valls, Ramon Sàrries.

Both leaders used the occasion to affirm their commitment to serving Andorra's people. Serrano stressed that "we are co-princes because there is a people and there would be no Co-principality without a people". Approaching the first anniversary of his appointment on 31 May, he reflected on his time in the role, saying it had allowed him to know and appreciate the Principality through its people and institutions. He renewed his "total availability to serve you" and invoked the national motto, *Virtus Unita Fortior*, to emphasise joint efforts.

Macron echoed this, stating both felt "the sentiment and conviction that we are here to serve you" and to honour their responsibility. He noted the award's emotional weight, joking that during his visit seven years ago he wondered if he had not deserved it, only later learning it was created in May 2024. The French leader praised Andorra's ability to remain faithful to its traditions while reinventing itself, adding that assuming the co-prince role "means much more" and is renewed through engagement with the country.

The event followed a visit to the sanctuary, marking 50 years since the laying of its first stone in 1974—two years after a fire destroyed the original Romanesque church—and its partial inauguration in 1976. Designed by architect Ricardo Bofill, the site holds deep ties to Andorra's history and identity.

Earlier in the visit, the co-princes jointly received credentials from ambassadors of 15 countries, including the United States' Benjamin Leon Jr., at Ràdio Andorra facilities. There, they called for global peace through dialogue, mutual listening, trust, disarmament, mediation, and respect for international law—a message well received amid ongoing conflicts.

Eduard Ibáñez, personal representative of the episcopal co-prince, told Ràdio Estel the visit fostered strong personal rapport between Macron and Serrano, reflecting a progressively fluid relationship between the co-princes and their representatives in recent years. He described the joint acts as reinforcing Andorra's balanced co-principality, which has ensured its continuity and independence for centuries, and highlighted the complementary roles: France's president with political heft alongside the bishop embodying the country's Christian heritage and spiritual dimension. Ibáñez said the leaders provide great service by accompanying the people, moderating institutions, and addressing key issues without taking political decisions, as sovereignty rests with the people through democratic bodies.

Andorra's seven centuries without war or military involvement, Ibáñez added, give it unique authority to advocate for peace internationally.