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Gran Canaria Stadium Transforms for Pope Leo XIV's Mass

Canary Islands' largest sports venue is being adapted against the clock to host the Pontiff in a massive religious event.

Image of the Gran Canaria Stadium adapted for Pope Leo XIV's mass.
IA

Image of the Gran Canaria Stadium adapted for Pope Leo XIV's mass.

The Gran Canaria Stadium is rapidly transforming to host the massive mass to be officiated by Pope Leo XIV in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, an event requiring unprecedented adaptation of the sports venue.

A large team of workers is racing against time to prepare the Gran Canaria Stadium, the largest sports venue in the Canary Islands, for a massive mass to be celebrated by Pope Leo XIV. The conversion of this stadium, usually dedicated to football, into a stage for the religious event has presented a significant logistical challenge.
The papal visit has coincided with the promotion playoff phase for UD Las Palmas, necessitating adjustments to the assembly and disassembly timelines for the stage design. Despite the tight schedule, the deployment, which began Sunday night, focuses on the stadium's interior but also extends to adjacent areas and the Gran Canaria Arena, which will broadcast the mass on a giant screen.
Rafael Suárez, technical coordinator for the deployment managed by Cerpa Arquitectos, stated that between 500 and 600 people are involved to ensure everything is ready. The priority is to minimize impact on the stadium's pitch, which will only host the main platform and the area for authorities, allowing for quick recovery for potential UD Las Palmas matches.
The organization has planned four distinct spaces for the event, tailored to the characteristics of each location. The main stage in the stadium is designed to accommodate over 50,000 devotees, with additional giant screens in the adjacent area and at the Gran Canaria Arena. Faithful and curious attendees are expected, who will be able to follow the ceremony via various screens and a papamobile procession.
The preparation required close coordination between Cerpa Arquitectura and the Insular Institute of Sports, as well as with various local companies. The stadium's high occupancy, which recently hosted events for the Rally Islas Canarias, has added complexity to the timelines. Rapid and clean assembly and disassembly are crucial, especially given the possibility of UD Las Palmas playing a promotion match this Sunday.
The infrastructure work for the event has also impacted other ongoing projects around the stadium, such as the demolition of the east tower and the pruning of trees on the access path to the South Stand, necessary for the installation of security cameras.

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