Pope Leon XIV’s Historic Message in Tenerife
Pope Leon XIV delivered one of the most prominent messages of his visit to the Canary Islands this Friday from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. He urged that the life of the islands should not be “reduced to trade and profit.” Speaking before thousands gathered at the Los Llanos Dock, the Pontiff called for a focus beyond the “touristic and economic dimension” of the archipelago, emphasising the importance of “the human heart” and addressing the “thirst of each person in an honest manner.”
### Recognising Both Visitors and Residents
In this historic Eucharist, Leon XIV highlighted both those visiting Tenerife for leisure and those working on the island. He stressed that the Canary Islands are meant to be “something more than a destination or a space for economic activity.” The Pope argued that the geographical location of the Diocese of Nivariense and the challenges faced by the archipelago indicate that “we are born for encounter.”
### “Canary Islands Are Known for Their Welcome”
The Pontiff pointed out that while the Canary Islands are known for their “beauty,” they are especially recognised for their “hospitality.” He expressed gratitude for having encountered “so many stories marked by faith, hope, and the reality of migration” during his visit. In this regard, he reminded the audience that the islands serve as a primary reception area for migrants “exposed to despair and coming from territories marked by danger, poverty, or persecution.”
His words coincided with a historic scene in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Thousands flocked to the main streets of the capital from early morning to catch a glimpse of the Pope during the first papal visit to Tenerife. Despite the early wake-up call and near 30-degree heat, many endured discomfort while waiting. Upon his arrival in Santa Cruz, Leon XIV began his papamobile tour at La Salle, passed through Weyler Square, and made a stop at the town hall, where he was welcomed by the capital’s mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez, and the city council. During this visit, he received several institutional gifts, including a replica of the Holy Cross, representing the city’s name, and a letter crafted by children from the Hispano Inglés school “on behalf of the children of Tenerife.”
### Incorporating Local Traditions
The Eucharist celebrated the presence of the Canary Islands, its traditions, and the figure of the migrant. The event featured performances from Los Sabandeños, Chago Melián, the Tenerife Island Federation of Music Bands (under the direction of Mauro Fariña), the Orfeón La Paz, the choir of La Concepción in La Laguna, Epifanía members, and the Novae Vocal Ensemble. The mass also presented a unique moment, as the Christ of La Laguna made its first exit from the municipality in 500 years, accompanied by the Virgin of Candelaria, patroness of the Canary Islands, who was brought from the Villa Mariana for the Eucharist. Both figures presided over the platform set up at the Los Llanos Dock.
### Embracing Canarian Identity
The celebration showcased Canarian identity in various details. The altar cloth was made by the nuns of the Santa Clara Monastery in La Laguna, who also prepared nearly 40,000 hosts for the communion of the faithful. Floral arrangements were provided by a team from the parish of La Concepción in Realejo Bajo, featuring the strelitzia, also known as the bird of paradise, among its most representative flowers. The liturgy reflected the diversity of the islands and the presence of migrants. During the prayers of the faithful, participants included Hannah Isabel, a Filipino migrant; Abibo, an African Catholic migrant from Guinea-Bissau, affiliated with the Buen Samaritano Foundation; Tibisay, a Venezuelan migrant; and Sister María Mercedes, president of CONFER diocesana.
The offerings brought together a family committed to parish life, individuals dressed in traditional outfits from different islands, and representatives of the Bethlehem family, linked to the charism of Saint Brother Pedro. Leon XIV urged the Canarians to “lift their gaze” and expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the warm reception he received during his visit to Spain, which concluded in Tenerife this Friday.
