Pope's Envoy Arrives in Canary Islands to Focus on Migrants

Cardinal Robert Prevost, representing Pope Francis, arrived in the Canary Islands with a message of welcome and a focus on the ongoing migrant crisis. The visit underscores the Vatican's attention to the humanitarian challenges faced by the region, particularly the thousands of lives lost and the immense response required by the islands.

The visit marks a historic moment, as no pope has previously set foot in the Canary Islands. The event in Arguineguín's port is considered a central moment of this pastoral trip. The Pope's envoy chose this location, a site that witnessed the arrival of over 2,300 people crammed into the port during the autumn of 2020, an episode that led to it being dubbed the "dock of shame."

In a symbolic gesture, the Canary Islands Church has renamed the port "Puerto Esperanza" (Port Hope), reflecting the aspirations of those who arrive and the efforts of emergency services. This initiative aims to shift the narrative from past hardships to a message of hope and resilience.

Cardinal Prevost's visit coincides with the entry into force of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum. He is scheduled to hear testimonies from survivors of the Canary Islands migration route and speak with a captain from Salvamento Marítimo (Maritime Rescue). The envoy's presence is intended to draw global attention to the situation in the islands, echoing Pope Francis's consistent messages about the dignity of migrants and his warnings against indifference, such as his plea, "Woe to us if the seas become cemeteries where hope also dies."