Pope Leo XIV Visits Canary Islands and Calls for Responsibility in the Migration Tragedy

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria – 11.06.2026: Pope Leo XIV arrived today in the Canary Islands to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis of migrants. His journey began with a visit to the port of Arguineguín on Gran Canaria, one of the main arrival points for migrants taking the dangerous Atlantic route from West Africa. There he met migrants, helpers, and volunteers and delivered an emotional address. The pope sharply criticized the international community and called for a change in approach to the migration tragedy. He appealed to origin countries to create conditions for peace, justice, and development, to transit countries to protect migrants and not leave them to criminal networks, and to Europe not to accept the Mediterranean as a graveyard. He also called for effective and persistent international cooperation.

Subsequently, the pope visited the Cathedral of Santa Ana in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where the mayor presented him with the golden city key. In the afternoon, he celebrated a mass at the Gran Canaria Stadium, where about 40,000 believers were expected.

On June 12, Pope Leo XIV will travel to Tenerife. There, a visit to the Las Raíces reception center in La Laguna is planned, followed by an event at Plaza del Cristo focusing on integration initiatives for migrants. The conclusion of his trip will be a mass at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

The pope’s visit to the Canary Islands is historically significant, as it is the first time a reigning pope has visited the island group. Pope Leo XIV wishes to focus attention on the humanitarian crisis of migrants and hold the international community accountable through his journey.

The Canary Islands are an important arrival point for migrants taking the dangerous Atlantic route from West Africa. In 2024, nearly 50,000 African boat refugees reached the islands. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 1,170 migrants died or went missing on this route in 2025.

During his address, the pope emphasized the urgency of not accepting the Mediterranean as a mass grave. He laid a floral wreath at the sea to commemorate the thousands of migrants who died on the Atlantic route. His message opposed indifference and stressed the need for solidarity and concrete action.

With his visit, Pope Leo XIV underscores the central role of the Canary Islands in the European migration phenomenon and sends a strong message of humanity and shared responsibility for the refugees and migrants who risk their lives daily.