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Bishop Urges Mobility Plan Definition for Pope's Visit to the Canaries

José Mazuelos calls on administrations to finalize traffic and security arrangements for Pope Leo XIV's imminent arrival.

Generic image of a busy street in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria during a major event, with blurred traffic lights and people.
IA

Generic image of a busy street in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria during a major event, with blurred traffic lights and people.

The Bishop of the Diocese of the Canaries, José Mazuelos, has urged public administrations to finalize the mobility and security plan for the upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV to Gran Canaria and Tenerife on June 11 and 12.

José Mazuelos, Bishop of the Diocese of the Canaries, has expressed concern over the lack of concrete plans for traffic and security during Pope Leo XIV's visit to the islands, scheduled for June 11 and 12. The prelate urged the responsible administrations to define the necessary arrangements as soon as possible to ensure the successful development of such a significant event.
Speaking before attending the 135th anniversary celebration of San José hospital, Mazuelos highlighted the importance of resolving issues related to mobility and school attendance, stating that the visit's organization cannot proceed without these decisions. "Mobility and security required for a papal visit are not improvised," he stated, calling on local institutions to make pronouncements after previous complaints about the Vatican's lack of response.
Currently, details regarding planned traffic diversions and closures, as well as the number of buses to be deployed for attendees, remain unknown. For comparison, the Madrid City Council presented its security, emergency, and mobility plans sixteen days before the Pope's visit, while Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has yet to provide any information on the matter.
The visit to Gran Canaria will commence in Arguineguín, proceed to the cathedral of Santa Ana in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for a meeting with clergy, followed by a private lunch at the Episcopal Palace, and conclude with a massive mass at the Gran Canaria Stadium. The public transport fleet is considered insufficient, prompting the bishop to request clarity on the potential suspension of classes to reassure the public.
Echoing these sentiments, the president of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, agreed on the urgency of mobility decisions, noting the consensus among administrations. "The less traffic there is on that day, the more the safety of people, the Pope, and all traffic in Gran Canaria will be guaranteed," he stated. Morales also recommended the expansion of remote work and estimated that between 60,000 and 80,000 people could gather in Siete Palmas, a significant logistical challenge for public transport operators.

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