The President of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, is hopeful that the visit of Pope Leo XIV this Friday will transform the island into a symbol of empathy, dignity, and the defence of human rights.

Dávila highlighted the “enormous human, social, and moral significance” of a visit that she believes will place international focus on the migration reality of the Canary Islands and on the Archipelago’s role as the southern border of Europe.

“We believe that the Pope’s perspective can help the world better understand what we are experiencing here,” the island president noted.

A Glimpse at Migrant Canary Islands

For the Cabildo president, the arrival of Leo XIV will not only be a historical event but also an opportunity to showcase the circumstances of a land that is intimately connected to migration, hospitality, and humanitarian responsibility.

Dávila reminded that in recent years, the Canary Islands have faced the arrival of thousands of migrants in conditions of significant vulnerability. In this context, she defended the role of a “supportive, open, and aware” people who “have never turned their backs on suffering.”

The island leader believes that the Pope’s visit can help increase visibility for a reality that is experienced especially intensely in the Islands, impacting public administrations, social entities, and citizens alike.

Special Security and Mobility Measures

Dávila also noted the coordination efforts in Tenerife to welcome the Holy Father this Friday. The expectation of a high influx of people has necessitated the implementation of an extraordinary plan regarding security, emergencies, healthcare, and mobility.

The operation includes a reinforcement of public transport to facilitate access to planned events and lessen pressure on the island’s road network. Traffic restrictions, changes in mobility, and specific measures at key access points for the visit are also anticipated.

The Cabildo president underscored that the goal is for the day to proceed smoothly, allowing Tenerife to host the Pontiff under secure conditions.

Tenerife: A Showcase for a Humanitarian Message

Dávila asserted that Tenerife will showcase “something very important” to the world during Pope Leo XIV’s visit: its commitment to empathy, dignity, and the defence of human rights.

Thus, the Pope’s presence on the island will carry both a religious and institutional significance, along with a clear social message linked to hospitality and the migration situation experienced in the Canary Islands.