The wait felt long but failed to diminish the excitement. Pope León XIV finally arrived at the celebratory venue in the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife nearly an hour late, to preside over the mass that marks the conclusion of his visit to Spain.

A Festive Welcome

In the moments leading up to his arrival, the atmosphere was vibrant with the sounds of traditional chácaras and the tambor gomero, welcoming thousands of attendees who had come from various parts of Canary Islands. The echoes of these instruments represented a festive reception from a crowd eager to await their Pontiff.

Silence Before the Arrival

However, the joyous sounds gave way to a markedly different scene as the moment drew nearer. The over 35,000 people gathered at the venue fell into an almost sepulchral silence, a moment of anticipation and respect contrasting sharply with the earlier cheers.

A Joyful Arrival

This silence was abruptly shattered by a unified cheer: “Yes, yes, yes, the Pope is here”. The entrance of León XIV sparked an eruption of applause, emotion, and cheers, an image that will be remembered as one of the most intense moments of the Holy Father’s farewell from Spain.

A Final Mass

Thus, the last mass of the trip commenced in a port transformed into an open-air temple, where Canarian tradition, faith, and collective emotion blended into a single scene to bid farewell to the Pontiff.