Tenerife Prepares for Pope Leo XIV's Visit with Choral Hymn and Mass

The island will host the Pontiff's farewell from Spain in June, featuring a hymn uniting 1,500 voices and a half-million-euro investment.

Image of a microphone on a podium inside a cathedral, with soft light and traditional architecture.
IA

Image of a microphone on a podium inside a cathedral, with soft light and traditional architecture.

Tenerife is gearing up for the historic visit of Pope Leo XIV in June, marked by the creation of an unprecedented choral hymn and preparations for a massive open-air mass at the Port of Santa Cruz.

The composer and producer from Tenerife, Pablo Cebrián, is the mastermind behind the musical piece that will accompany Pope Leo XIV's tour of Spain. This composition, described as “a caress for the soul,” has brought together 1,500 voices in a simultaneous choral recording, setting a new benchmark in religious music.
The creation of the hymn was a coordinated effort by Cebrián, with participation from choirs in Madrid, Barcelona, Gran Canaria, and Tenerife. The archipelago's contribution has been crucial, with over 600 Canarian participants lending their voices for what the producer proudly calls “the soundtrack that will be heard throughout the visit.”
At the Cathedral of Canarias, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 400 people of various ages harmonized their voices, symbolizing a “living, united, and open Church.” Similarly, the Cathedral of La Laguna, in Tenerife, gathered over 200 participants, with the presence of the Nivariense bishop, Eloy Santiago, who expressed gratitude for their involvement and encouraged the faithful to register as volunteers for the June events.

"The soundtrack that will be heard throughout the visit."

Pablo Cebrián · Tenerife composer and producer
Anticipation is high, especially after the confirmation that the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has been chosen as the venue for the Pontiff's grand farewell from Spain on June 12. This location will transform into an “open-air cathedral” to host a massive mass that will conclude his official tour. The organizing body (CEE) has reminded that, although the event is free, prior registration will be mandatory, and a digital registration will be enabled on the official website in the coming weeks to ensure security.
The Cabildo de Tenerife will contribute 500,000 euros from its own funds to cover the costs of Pope Leo XIV's visit to the island in June, a measure unanimously approved in the corporation's last plenary session. This investment aligns with contributions from the Government of Canarias and the Cabildo de Gran Canaria. In addition to the mass at the dock, the Pope is expected to visit a migrant center on the island, reinforcing his message of welcome.