Following his visits to Madrid and Barcelona, Pope Leo XIV will arrive in the Canary Islands, beginning his tour in Gran Canaria. His first official act will be a meeting with migrant communities in Arguineguín, a gesture following Pope Francis's expressed intention in 2024 to visit the islands to show solidarity amidst the humanitarian migrant crisis.
Facilities like Las Raíces are preparing for the visit, organizing Spanish classes for migrants who will meet with the pontiff. The visit will involve a large security operation across both islands. In Tenerife, the choice of airport (Tenerife North or Tenerife South) will depend on the weather, while in Gran Canaria operations will be conducted from the Gando Air Base.
In La Laguna, street closures are planned, and the historic center will be cleared of potential security risks. The City Council will provide information on alternative waste disposal methods. The Government Delegation in the Canary Islands will confirm the full list of street closures in affected municipalities.
The potential suspension of classes is another point of uncertainty. The Minister of Education for the Canary Islands Government, Poli Suárez, indicated that a widespread class suspension is not anticipated, but it might partially affect municipalities along the pontiff's route in Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
“"Everything indicates that if there were a suspension of classes, it would be partial in some areas"
The pontiff's schedule includes meetings with migrants in Arguineguín and the Las Raíces center, as well as Masses at the Gran Canaria Stadium and the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The visit will conclude with a farewell ceremony at Tenerife North-Los Rodeos airport.
