All of us of are migrants,’ pope says in Canary Islands
Pope Leo XIV on Friday addressed migrants at a reception facility on the Spanish island of Tenerife, declaring that “we are all migrants” as he wrapped up a weeklong visit to Spain centered on the challenges facing irregular migrants.
Tenerife, part of Spain’s Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, has become a major entry point for thousands of migrants seeking better opportunities in Europe.
The pontiff, who leads the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, concluded his trip by advocating greater support for migrants and stronger efforts to combat human trafficking, amid ongoing political debates over immigration across Europe.
Speaking to hundreds of migrants at Las Raices reception centre, which operates from a former military barracks, Pope Leo said, “In one way or another, all of us are migrants because we are pilgrims journeying toward our eternal home.”
He encouraged people to make migration journeys safer and more humane by offering assistance in whatever ways possible.
The US-born pope was also expected to celebrate a large open-air Mass in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, attended by tens of thousands of worshippers.
Earlier in the week, Leo visited Madrid and Barcelona before travelling to Gran Canaria on Thursday. During his stay there, he denounced society’s “indifference” toward migrants and paid tribute to those who lost their lives attempting to reach the Canary Islands by sea.
At the port of Arguineguin, he cast a wreath into the ocean in memory of the thousands who have perished on the dangerous route and stressed that “human dignity does not depend on a passport.”
The pope also blessed a weathered blue cross made from the wood of a migrant boat, while condemning traffickers and those whose neglect contributes to the suffering and exploitation of vulnerable people.
Deadly Migration Route
According to the International Organization for Migration, nearly 1,200 people either died or disappeared while attempting to travel from Africa to the Canary Islands last year, making it one of the deadliest migration corridors in the world.
Pope Leo warned that Europe cannot claim to defend human dignity while becoming accustomed to seeing the Mediterranean and Atlantic oceans turn into burial grounds for migrants.
He called on countries of origin and transit to confront the factors driving migration, including poverty, conflict, and human trafficking networks, saying the ongoing tragedy should serve as a wake-up call to governments.
Mohamed Amjahdi, who arrived in the Canary Islands from Morocco as a teenager, described the pope’s visit as highly significant, particularly at a time when migration issues remain pressing.
Following his visit to Tenerife, Pope Leo is scheduled to return to Rome. He is also expected to travel to the Italian island of Lampedusa on July 4, another key arrival point for migrants entering Europe, further underscoring his commitment to advocating for migrants throughout his papacy.