Pope Leo set off for the Canary Islands to meet with migrants who have braved dangerous Atlantic waters. The pope will meet with around 1,000 migrants on Friday, in a visit that is a centrepiece of his week-long tour of Spain.
Defense of Human Rights
Juan Carlos Lorenzo, coordinator of the Spanish Commission for Refugees in the Canary Islands, told Reuters that the pope’s visit is a “significant milestone” that will serve as a strong affirmation of the defense of human rights, respect, and the dignity that all people deserve, regardless of their origin.
More than 3,000 people died in 2025 trying to reach the Canary Islands, according to the NGO Caminando Fronteras. The pope has spoken forcefully against the direction of global leadership in recent months, telling the Spanish parliament that a lack of help for the world’s migrants is challenging the ethical foundation of the international order.
In contrast to most of Europe, Spain has adopted a more open stance on illegal immigrants, introducing a programme to grant residency to more than half a million illegal immigrants.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
