The intention to welcome Pope Francis, who will visit Arguineguín port this Thursday, has been overshadowed by a notable translation error on municipal signage. Several billboards in the Arguineguín neighborhood, displaying Mogán's coat of arms and tourist slogan, featured the Italian word "Bienvenuti," which is an incorrect greeting for the pontiff.
The correct Italian term for "welcome" (plural) is "benvenuti." This linguistic slip recalls previous incidents in the municipality, such as the 2018 warning sign for English speakers regarding newly painted benches, which was literally translated as "painted eye" instead of "wet paint."
The situation was further complicated by a similar error on the facade of the La Mar Salada pizzeria. Its owners displayed a banner to greet Pope Leo XIV (another confusion, as the current Pope is Francis) with an ostentatious "Bienv enido," splitting the word and making another translation mistake.
The person responsible at the Mogán Town Council for translating messages for foreign visitors has once again covered themselves in glory.
These translation errors have drawn comments and criticism on social media and local news outlets, questioning the professionalism of the department in charge of the municipality's external communications.
