The visit of Pope Leo XIV to the islands has been described by the Diocese of Canarias as an event of great significance for the Church and Canarian society. The central celebration will be a Eucharist at the Gran Canaria Stadium, where a massive attendance of tens of thousands of people is expected in a gathering anticipated to be “open and participatory”.

The bishop of Canarias, José Mazuelos Pérez, has issued a decree authorizing the transfer of Our Lady of the Pine and the Holy Christ of Telde to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. These images, coming from their respective seats in Teror and Telde, will occupy a central place on the altar during the Eucharist with the Holy Father on June 11.

This transfer, considered of “singular pastoral relevance,” aims to promote “faith, evangelization, and ecclesial communion,” as detailed in the official decree. The coordination of the transfer and return to their basilicas will be the responsibility of the parish priests, who must ensure “due respect, order, and religious sense” throughout the process.

Although all events of the papal visit will be free, prior registration is mandatory due to capacity limitations and security reasons. The organization has set up an official website to manage pre-registrations, which can be done individually, as a family, or in groups through parishes and schools. Once registration is complete and sectors have been distributed, each attendee will receive a numbered ticket with their seat and access gate indication, ensuring the safety of both the Holy Father and the thousands of pilgrims expected from across the archipelago and the peninsula.

To resolve any questions, an information point has been established at the Casa de la Iglesia, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Soon, additional points will open in Gáldar (Santiago church), Vecindario (San Rafael church), Telde (San Gregorio church), and Teror (Our Lady of the Pine basilica), as well as in Fuerteventura (Puerto del Rosario) and Lanzarote (Arrecife).

In addition to the main mass, other events are being evaluated, such as a meeting at the port of Arguineguín and another at the Cathedral of Canarias, along with a possible tour of the Pope in his popemobile through the city. The diocese has also expressed its commitment to provide final economic data with “total transparency” once the event concludes. Furthermore, a meeting with migrants in Arguineguín (Mogán) is being considered, although this is not yet confirmed, where the Pope would meet with those who facilitate the arrival and care of migrants on the islands.