Technical issue on Pope's plane; King boards and escorts him to VIP lounge
Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Pope Leo XIV arrived in Tenerife, the final stop of his pastoral visit to Spain, and was greeted by local authorities.
- The Pope visited the 'Las Raíces' migrant center, where he engaged with children and young people, emphasizing the importance of migrants' contributions to future generations.
- He called for mutual enrichment and understanding, highlighting that "we are all migrants" and urging for a more humane journey for everyone.
Pope Leo XIV concluded his episcopal journey in Spain with a visit to Tenerife, where he was warmly welcomed by institutional authorities, including the president of the Canary Islands. The pontiff's arrival marked the final leg of a trip that had previously taken him to Madrid and Barcelona.
I invite you also to offer the treasure of humanity, of dreams and of culture that you have brought to these islands, and to be open to receiving what is offered to you.
A particularly moving moment occurred at the 'Las Raíces' migrant center. The Pope engaged tenderly with children, holding one close while greeting others, and interacting with young people. He also visited the sleeping quarters for migrants, underscoring his concern for their well-being.
We must live this exchange with responsibility - thinking of the future of future generations, to whom we want to pass on the heritage of a civilization of love, where migrations have an important word to say, because they can become - an occasion for encounter and mutual enrichment between peoples.
During his address to the migrant communities, Pope Leo XIV spoke in French and English, emphasizing the significant role migrants play in shaping the future. He urged them to share the "treasure of humanity, dreams, and culture" they bring, while remaining open to receiving new experiences. The Pope invoked the image of "roots," a concept he noted was favored by his predecessor Pope Francis, to stress the importance of remembering one's origins while embracing new environments. He concluded by thanking various governmental and non-governmental entities for their humanitarian aid, which restores hope and dignity.
We are all in some way migrants - we are all pilgrims on a journey - let's help each other make this journey a more human event for everyone, offering what is within each person's reach.
Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.