Pope Leo XIV's visit to Tenerife culminated in a massive mass at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, an event that, beyond the official images, was marked by countless personal stories. From early morning, thousands of attendees, many from different parts of the island and others from islands like El Hierro and La Gomera, gathered to witness the central act of the papal journey.
A group of over 200 people from El Hierro, carrying the banner “El Hierro Alza la mirada” (El Hierro Raises its gaze), expressed their message of welcome to migrants, positively valuing the pontiff's words on immigration. María Teresa Pérez, part of the delegation, highlighted that the island, despite its small size, has “a big heart” and needs support to continue its humanitarian work.
Attendees from La Gomera were among the earliest, arriving from 4:00 AM. María Méndez, tearfully, described the day as “the ultimate” and an experience “that only happens once in a lifetime.” The wait of over four hours became a space for sharing experiences among strangers, united by the desire to witness an event considered unrepeatable.
Among the nearly 40,000 attendees, according to Vatican figures, was Josué González, who emphasized the visit's motto, “Alzad la mirada,” for its invitation to maintain spiritual perspective in an “a bit crazy” world. Marc Coine, a Belgian resident in Tenerife, attended with his daughter, motivated by faith and the historical significance of the event, particularly valuing the Pope's messages on peace and immigration.
Emotion was particularly palpable with the Pope's arrival, accompanied by chants and applause. Many faithful immortalized the moment with their mobile phones, keeping a memento of this historic day for Canarias.
Volunteers played a crucial role, with hundreds of individuals dedicating their time and effort to ensure the smooth running of the event. Jacob Rodríguez, one of them, welcomed attendees with the phrase “Water, hat, and joy,” helping them find their seats to witness the dreamed-of moment.
Among the day's curiosities, Vatican flags shared space with religious symbols and t-shirts from NGOs involved in migrant reception. As the mass concluded, hours of emotion, encounters, and personal experiences were left behind, anonymous stories that contributed to making Pope Leo XIV's visit an unforgettable memory for many Canarians.
