Pope Leo XIV Arrives in Tenerife to Advocate for Migrant Dignity
Pope Leo XIV arrived early on Friday in Tenerife from Gran Canaria and visited the Las Raíces reception centre, which currently supports around 700 migrants. During his visit, he called for migration to be viewed as an opportunity for connection and understanding.
Warm Welcome and Personal Stories
The Pontiff received a warm welcome with applause. The event featured testimonies from two Nigerian migrants, highlighting themes of hospitality and dignity. Eloy Santiago, the bishop of the Nivariense Diocese, expressed gratitude for the Pope’s visit, acknowledging the struggles faced by those who have “experienced the drama of hunger and poverty.” Meanwhile, Elma Saiz, the Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, stressed that “Canarias welcomes” those in need and that the challenges faced by these individuals remain very real.
Courage Amidst Adversity
During the ceremony, the centre’s director noted that around 600 staff members work at Las Raíces and thanked the Pope for his message of closeness. The centre communicated to the Pontiff that those arriving in Canarias are in search of a better life. One migrating individual shared that the journey is often fraught with fear and sadness but affirmed their determination to persevere. “We want to live with dignity,” he stated, expressing appreciation for the Pope’s respectful and compassionate view of migrants.
Hope in the Canary Islands
A female migrant also spoke, expressing gratitude for the Pope’s visit and declaring that Canarias was “the first place of hope” after a long and painful journey. She underscored that many leave their home countries due to poverty, violence, persecution, or lack of opportunities. “No one leaves their land by choice,” she emphasised, appealing for borders not to turn into “walls of indifference” and urging that migrants be regarded as individuals rather than mere statistics or issues. “We ask for humanity, not privileges,” she asserted.
A Message of Cultural Enrichment
Pope Leo XIV addressed the migrants in French and expressed gratitude for the comments made by the minister and the centre’s director. He highlighted the value of their testimonies and the cultural richness that migrants bring to the islands, viewing it as an opportunity for mutual enrichment and connection between peoples. He also thanked the government and all individuals involved in the welcoming process, a task that, he said, “restores hope.” During his remarks, he took a moment to remember Pope Francis, expressing his sorrow at being unable to undertake this visit himself.
