Pope Leo XIV arrives in Canary Islands for historic first papal visit, centering on migrant crisis

Arrival and historic first

Pope Leo XIV will arrive at the Gando Air Base in Gran Canaria on Thursday morning, 11 June, after departing from Barcelona. The visit is historic: no pope has ever traveled to the Canary Islands. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo will receive the pontiff upon his arrival. The trip fulfills a commitment left pending by Pope Francis, who had publicly expressed his desire to visit the archipelago to witness the humanitarian reality of the Atlantic migration route but never made the journey.

The 'port of hope' at Arguineguín

From the air base, the Pope will travel by road to the port of Arguineguín, a site once dubbed the "pier of shame" in 2020 due to the management of migrant arrivals. The local Church wants to transform its image into a "port of hope." Around 1,800 to 2,000 people, including migrant families, workers, and volunteers, will gather there to meet him. The event will feature four testimonies from migrant families and those who welcome and integrate them, a floral tribute to those who died at sea, and the blessing of a fishermen's altar dedicated to the Virgin of Carmen and a cross made from migrant boat wood.

We want that port to stop being the pier of shame and become the port of hope.

Political and pastoral encounters

Several Spanish government ministers will attend the Arguineguín event, including Félix Bolaños, Ángel Víctor Torres, Elma Saiz, and Margarita Robles. The gathering will also pay tribute to the Maritime Rescue service and fishermen for their role in rescuing migrants. Afterwards, the Pope will head to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where the mayor will present him with the golden key to the city. He will then visit the Cathedral of Santa Ana for a meeting with 1,500 members of the clergy and pastoral workers of the Diocese of Gran Canaria.

Papal motorcade and evening mass

Before entering the cathedral, Leo XIV will ride through the Vegueta district in his popemobile, allowing faithful to see him from the streets. Screens will be installed in the plaza so crowds can follow the indoor meeting. In the evening, the Pope will officiate a large open-air mass at the Gran Canaria Stadium at 6:30 p.m. local time (7:30 p.m. peninsular time), expected to draw 40,000 attendees. He will also tour the stadium's surroundings in the popemobile to greet those unable to enter.

Next stop Tenerife

After completing his engagements in Gran Canaria, Leo XIV will fly to Tenerife on Friday morning for the final leg of his apostolic journey in Spain. This visit marks the ninth papal trip to Spain overall.