Pope Leo XIV Visits the Canary Islands Amid Migration Crisis
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Spain’s Canary Islands on Thursday, making a stop at a key entry point for migrants aiming to reach Europe. This visit followed his recent critique of the country’s immigration policies during a speech to the Spanish parliament.
On Friday, the Pope plans to meet with around 1,000 migrants, wrapping up his apostolic visit to Spain, known for having the sixth largest Christian population in Europe.
His arrival at Gran Canaria coincided with a Monday speech where he expressed concerns about Europe’s immigration strategies. On Thursday, he met with both migrant leaders and representatives from organizations providing support, taking a moment to honor the memory of those who lost their lives trying to reach the island. The port of Arguineguín gained attention back in 2020 when over 1,000 migrants were stranded there due to the pandemic.
Pope Leo Advocates for Humane Treatment of Migrants
During his visit, the Pope acknowledged that while countries have the right to manage their borders, it is imperative to ensure humane treatment of migrants.
He reflected on the term “pier of shame,” used by relief organizations to describe Arguineguín after the refugee crisis. Addressing migrants by the port, he shared, “Dear migrants, before I say anything to you, I would like to bow before your dignity. You are not just numbers and files. You are people who left behind families and homes. You have dreams. No one has the right to disrespect you.” He then emphasized, “We cannot get used to counting the dead.”
Pope Leo also urged for “legal and safe routes” for migrants globally.
Situated less than 160 miles from West Africa, Gran Canaria attracts thousands of migrants, many of whom face perilous journeys across dangerous waters in small boats. An NGO, Caminando Fronteras, reported that over 3,000 individuals lost their lives attempting this voyage in just 2025.
Rising Immigration in the Canary Islands
Since 2015, immigration to the Canary Islands has surged significantly, with illegal entries increasing from under 1,000 to a record 46,843 in 2024. At a Pope Leo event, a captain involved with migrant rescue efforts mentioned he has assisted more than 20,000 migrants over nearly two decades. He expressed relief at not having had to save anyone recently but acknowledged the staggering number of lives lost.
Spain, under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s socialist government, has adopted more liberal immigration policies, including a recent measure aimed at regularizing the status of 500,000 undocumented immigrants. Meanwhile, conservative politicians have pushed back against the Pope’s recent comments. In his parliament speech, the Pope described migration as a “tragic drama,” condemning any form of discrimination based on nationality, ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic status as a violation of universal dignity.
However, Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain’s conservative Vox party, countered by highlighting that the Vatican has its own strict policies regarding illegal immigration, stating, “I want Spain to have a similar immigration policy.”
