Pope Francis departs Barcelona for Gran Canaria on Spain trip

Pope Francis departed Barcelona's Josep Tarradellas-El Prat Airport at 8:45 AM, heading to Gran Canaria. This marks the third stop of his apostolic journey in Spain, following visits to Madrid and Barcelona. His arrival at Gando Air Base was expected around 10:45 AM.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the Governor of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, led the official delegation to welcome the pontiff. The delegation also included several government ministers. Pope Francis is the first Pope to visit the Canary Islands, a region on Europe's southern frontier. This visit fulfills a wish of his predecessor, who died before being able to travel to the archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa.

In 2020, the Arguineguin pier gained notoriety as the "pier of shame" during a migrant crisis. Over 2,700 people were held there for days in inhumane conditions under makeshift tents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the site has been "re-signified" as "Puerto Esperanza" (Port of Hope) by local humanitarian organizations and the Church, which are working to integrate migrants.

During his time in Madrid and Barcelona, the Pope delivered strong messages about the human dignity of migrants. "No one can kneel before God and despise his brother," he stated during a Mass in Plaza Cibeles. In Arguineguin, he was joined by Prime Minister Sanchez and Governor Clavijo. The Pope's visit concludes on the following day with a Mass of farewell in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, including a collective prayer and floral tribute for those who have lost their lives at sea, before his departure for Rome.

“

No one can kneel before God and despise his brother.