Pope Leo XIV meets migrants in Tenerife, offering prayers, solidarity, and a message of unity during the final stage of his Canary Islands visit.
Newsroom (12/06/2026 Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV arrived in Tenerife on Friday morning, marking the beginning of the final stage of his visit to the Canary Islands and the conclusion of his Apostolic Journey to Spain. The aircraft carrying the Pope and accompanying journalists departed Gran Canaria’s Gando Air Base at 8:56 AM local time and landed at Tenerife Norte–Los Rodeos International Airport at 9:15 AM.
The Canary Islands, an Atlantic archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa, serve as a significant entry point for migrants attempting to reach Europe. Against this backdrop, the Pope’s visit has taken on particular symbolic and humanitarian importance.
Following his arrival, the Holy Father’s agenda included a meeting with migrants at the Las Raíces Center in Tenerife, followed by an encounter with organizations dedicated to migrant integration at Plaza del Cristo de La Laguna.
A Message Rooted in Compassion and Unity
At the Las Raíces Center, Pope Leo XIV delivered a deeply reflective message centered on compassion, solidarity, and the universal nature of God’s love. Addressing migrants directly, he expressed personal closeness, assuring them: “I carry you in my heart and will remember you in my prayers.”
The visit coincided with the Church’s celebration of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a symbol of “God’s merciful and infinite love for every human being.” The Pope emphasized that this love transcends borders and distinctions, uniting people regardless of origin.
“As I look at your faces and listen to your stories, I also think of your hearts — wounded by so many difficulties,” he said, acknowledging both the suffering and resilience of migrants. He highlighted how compassion from others can serve as a source of healing, paralleling the suffering and consolation experienced by Christ.
Migration as an Opportunity for Encounter
Drawing on Gospel teachings, Pope Leo XIV referenced the parable of the Good Samaritan, illustrating how love and service can bridge divisions of nationality and religion. He also invoked the missionary journeys of Saint Brother Peter and Saint Joseph of Anchieta, who departed from the Canary Islands to the Americas, describing them as migrants who carried “faith, hope and charity” into unknown lands.
The Pope presented migration not only as a challenge but as a potential opportunity for mutual enrichment. He encouraged migrants to share “the treasures of your humanity, of your dreams and of your culture,” while remaining open to what others offer.
This exchange, he said, must be lived responsibly, with an eye toward building “a civilization of love” for future generations. Migration, in this context, becomes a pathway for encounter and growth among peoples.
A Shared Journey of Humanity
In a broader reflection, the Pope described all people as migrants in a spiritual sense—“pilgrims on our way to our heavenly homeland.” He called for collective efforts to make this journey more humane, urging cooperation among governments, institutions, and individuals of goodwill.
He also expressed gratitude for those providing humanitarian assistance, noting that their work restores hope and dignity to vulnerable populations.
The setting of the visit—the Las Raíces Center—offered additional symbolic meaning. The Pope highlighted the significance of its name, “the roots,” connecting it to the importance of remembering one’s origins and remaining grounded in faith. Referencing the teachings of Pope Francis, he underscored the image of a tree rooted by water, resilient even in adversity.
Faith, Resilience, and Protection
Concluding his address, Pope Leo XIV offered a blessing to migrants, their families, and all who support them. He entrusted them to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, invoking her as the “Consolation of Migrants.”
His words reinforced the central theme of his visit: that dignity, compassion, and unity should define the global response to migration.
As his Apostolic Journey nears its conclusion, the Pope’s message from Tenerife leaves a lasting impression—one that calls for empathy, shared responsibility, and a renewed commitment to human solidarity in the face of one of today’s most pressing challenges.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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