Pope Leo XIV Urges Support for Migrants During Visit to Canary Islands

As Pope Leo XIV concluded his week-long visit to Spain, he made a poignant stop at a reception centre on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The islands have become a crucial entry point for thousands of migrants embarking on the perilous journey to Europe in search of better living conditions. Addressing a crowd of migrants at the former military barracks turned reception centre, Las Raices, the Pope emphasized the importance of supporting these individuals, stating, 'In a sense, all of us are migrants, for we are all pilgrims on our way to our heavenly homeland.' He further encouraged the crowd to contribute in any way possible to make the journey more humane for everyone. The Pope's visit comes at a time when immigration continues to be a contentious issue across Europe, with many governments implementing stricter border policies under pressure from far-right parties. Earlier in the week, Pope Leo visited Madrid and Barcelona before arriving in Gran Canaria, where he condemned the indifference shown towards migrants and paid tribute to the thousands who have lost their lives attempting to reach the Canary Islands. According to the International Organization for Migration, nearly 1,200 people died or disappeared last year while making the journey from Africa to the Canary Islands, making it one of the deadliest migration routes globally. The Pope also emphasized that human dignity knows no borders, saying, 'Monsters lurk in these seas… traffickers who enslave women and children, and those whose indifference allows the poor to be swallowed up by exploitation or forgetfulness.' He stressed that Europe cannot claim to uphold human dignity while allowing the Mediterranean and Atlantic to become unmarked graves. The Pope's visit has been welcomed by migrants, with Mohamed Amjahdi, who arrived on the islands from Morocco as a 17-year-old, expressing his appreciation for the visit, stating, 'We really value this visit. It's very important for us at such a critical moment.' The Pope is scheduled to lead an open-air mass at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and will later visit Lampedusa, the Italian island that has also become a major landing point for migrants, making the issue a key focus of his papacy.