Wojciech Rogacin – Vatican
Before 11:00 AM Italian time, the Pope is expected to land in Las Palmas on the island of Gran Canaria. And immediately, the Holy Father will go to the Port of Arguineguín, known as the “port of shame”.
Pope will honor victims of migration
Located on the southern coast of Gran Canaria, Arguineguín is called the “port of shame” because in 2020, in just one week, about 3,000 migrants arrived there. The coronavirus pandemic had just broken out. From Mauritania and Senegal, from Morocco to the Sahara, migrants arrived on board Senegalese cayucos and pateras – makeshift boats.
Due to the pandemic, however, no one could enter the port; only Caritas organized aid for the shipwrecked, providing food and sanitary materials.
The Canary Islands are the closest landing point to Europe. Only 100 to 200 kilometers of sea separate the “dream” of a dignified and better future from the African coast.
Testimonies of priests
Leo XIV will lay flowers at this place to commemorate the victims, he will also meet with migrants and those who help them, and deliver a speech.
Around 1:30 PM Italian time, Leo XIV will meet with bishops and clergy in St. Anne’s Cathedral, where he will deliver a speech to them and listen to the testimonies of priests.
Holy Mass at the stadium
In the evening, at 6:30 PM our time, Holy Mass is scheduled at the local stadium, which will be presided over by the Holy Father. Earlier, the Pope will pass among the faithful, greeting them. This is the penultimate day of Leo XIV’s journey to Spain.
