The Supreme Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, arrived on the island this Thursday, June 11th, and was received with great anticipation and the ringing of the bells of the Cathedral of Santa Ana. The meeting, which began with a slight delay, brought together approximately 1,500 people between the cathedral and the adjacent square, who followed the celebration via screens installed outside.

After being welcomed at the atrium by ecclesiastical authorities and receiving the keys to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria from the mayor Carolina Darias, the Pope performed an act of adoration to the Blessed Sacrament. Subsequently, the Bishop of the Diocese of the Canary Islands, José Mazuelos, welcomed the Pontiff, outlining the challenges facing the Church in the islands, including tourism, precarious employment, housing, and migration.

During his address, Pope Leo XIV expressed his joy at the meeting, thanking them for the "warm welcome" and the "testimonies" that reflect "a living Church." He defined himself as "father and brother in faith" and bishop for those present, recalling the importance of gifts and ministries for the edification of the body of Christ, as mentioned in the reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.

The Pontiff invited reflection on two fundamental Christian attitudes: "embracing the cross of Christ" and "cultivating Eucharistic spirituality." He compared the islanders' longing for the sea to the search for heavenly homeland, emphasizing that the cross is the path to "cross the sea of this world." He mentioned the diocesan priest Antonio Vicente González, known as "the good Canary shepherd," as an example.

He also highlighted the "ancient tradition" of the Cathedral of the rain of flower petals before the Blessed Sacrament as a symbol of the spiritual goods bestowed by the Lord. He urged "Christian solidarity" and for "all to be one so that the world may believe," encouraging the Canarian Church to "row out into the deep" by entrusting themselves to the Virgin Mary.

The encounter concluded with the singing of the Our Father, the papal blessing, and the "baciamano" greeting to a dozen attendees. After the Pope's departure, during which he greeted those following the event from outside, he proceeded to the Episcopal Palace to prepare for the large Mass at the Gran Canaria Stadium.