Pope Leo XIV landed in Spain’s Canary Islands, a key entry point for migrants seeking to enter Europe, to meet with 1,000 migrants and emphasize the importance of treating all people with dignity. The visit comes after the Pope criticized Europe’s immigration policies in a speech to Spain’s Parliament.

Emphasizing Dignity and Safe Pathways

During his visit, Pope Leo met with migrants and leaders of international organizations that assist migrants. He held a moment of silence for migrants who died trying to reach the Canary Islands, saying, “We cannot grow accustomed to counting the dead.” The Pope also called for “legal and safe pathways” for immigration worldwide, highlighting the need for a more compassionate approach to the issue.

The Canary Islands have seen a significant increase in migrant entries since 2015, with over 46,000 irregular migrants arriving in 2024. The Pope’s visit aims to bring attention to the plight of these migrants and the need for more effective and humane solutions to the migration crisis.

Under Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s socialist government has liberalized the country’s migration policies, approving a plan to grant legal status to 500,000 undocumented migrants. However, conservative lawmakers have criticized the move, with Santiago Abascal, the head of the conservative Vox party, arguing that Spain should adopt a more restrictive migration policy similar to that of the Vatican.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.