Pope Leo XIV visits Spain’s Canary Islands and pays tribute to migrants who have died trying to cross the Atlantic toward Europe. During the trip, he goes to the port of Arguineguin on Gran Canaria, where he meets migrants and people who assist them. He then casts flowers or a wreath into the sea as a memorial for those who perished on irregular routes to the archipelago. The visit occurs on the sixth day of his Spain tour and focuses on the dangers faced by migrants in past and ongoing crossings.
In remarks during the visit, the Pope calls for human dignity and condemns “indifference” toward migrants. He also criticizes leaders, including Christians, who he says turn migrants away without compassion. Before leaving the port area, he blesses a cross made from the wood of migrant boats, reinforcing the theme of remembrance and attention to the risks of deadly journeys. The encounter combines commemoration for the dead with a direct message to policymakers and religious communities about how migrants are treated.
