SouthernWorldwide.com – Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Spain’s Canary Islands, a significant entry point for migrants heading into Europe. This visit follows shortly after the Pope’s critique of the country’s immigration policies, which he voiced in a speech to the Spanish Parliament.
The Pope’s itinerary includes a meeting with 1,000 migrants on Friday, marking the conclusion of his apostolic journey to Spain. Spain holds the distinction of having the sixth-largest Christian population on the European continent.
His parliamentary address on Monday specifically targeted Europe’s immigration policies. Subsequently, Pope Leo landed on Gran Canaria, one of the islands in the Canary archipelago, on Thursday. This information was reported by Reuters.
During his Thursday visit, the Pope met with migrants and representatives from international organizations dedicated to assisting them. He also observed a moment of silence at the Port of Arguineguin, a location that gained significant attention in 2020 when over 1,000 migrants were stranded there during the Covid-19 pandemic. The port is a key site for migrants attempting to reach Gran Canaria.
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Relief organizations had labeled the Port of Arguineguin the “Dock of Shame” following the migrant crisis. Pope Leo appeared to echo this sentiment during his address at the port on Thursday.
“Dear migrants, before saying anything else to you, I want to bow before your dignity,” the Pope stated. He continued, “You are not just numbers or files. You are people who have left behind families and homes. You have dreams that no one has the right to despise.”
“We cannot grow accustomed to counting the dead,” he added, emphasizing the human cost of migration.
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The Pope also advocated for the establishment of “legal and safe pathways” for immigration on a global scale.
Gran Canaria, situated less than 100 miles off the coast of West Africa, has become a destination for thousands of Africans. Many have tragically lost their lives attempting the perilous journey across the volatile waters in small vessels.
According to the non-governmental organization (NGO) Caminando Fronteras, over 3,000 individuals died while attempting this journey in 2025 alone. This highlights the extreme dangers faced by migrants.
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The Canary Islands have witnessed a substantial increase in migrant arrivals since 2015. In 2024, the archipelago recorded a record 46,843 irregular migrant entries, a stark contrast to fewer than 1,000 in 2015, as reported by Reuters.
Speaking to the media at the Pope’s event, a boat captain involved in assisting charities and NGOs in migrant rescues shared his personal experience. He stated that he had personally helped save over 20,000 migrants in the past 18 years, as reported by Reuters.
“It’s a number that makes me sick and that you cannot forget,” the captain, identified as Tito Villarmea, told Reuters. “I wish we didn’t have to save anyone,” he added, expressing a desire for the circumstances leading to these rescues to cease.
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Under the leadership of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s socialist government has implemented more liberal policies regarding migration. In April, the government approved a plan to grant legal status to 500,000 undocumented migrants.
In response to Pope Leo’s address to Parliament on Monday, conservative lawmakers in Spain voiced their opposition.
During his speech to the lawmakers, Pope Leo characterized migration as a “tragic drama.” He also asserted that discrimination based on “national, ethnic, religious or linguistic origin, or because of their economic or social status” constitutes a violation of the “universal principle of the equal dignity of all human beings.”
However, Santiago Abascal, the leader of Spain’s conservative Vox party, challenged the Pope’s remarks. He pointed out that Vatican City itself has policies in place to manage illegal immigration.
“I like the Vatican state’s migration policy. If someone enters illegally or with violence, they are fined, imprisoned and banned from entry. I would like a similar migration policy for Spain,” Abascal stated to reporters on Monday.
