Pope Leo XIV landed in Tenerife for a first meeting with migrants at the «Las Raíces» center, one of the main facilities for the care of migrants in the Canary Islands. There he was received by the Bishop of San Cristobal de La Laguna, Monsignor Eloy Alberto Santiago Santiago, representatives of the Government and those in charge of the center.
The «Las Raíces» center»
The Bishop of San Cristobal de La Laguna (Tenerife), Monsignor Eloy Alberto Santiago Santiago welcomed him warmly, explaining the context of the center: «we are in one of the shelters for migrants of the Government of Spain, managed by the association Accem. It is the largest camp in the Canary Islands which, at the height of the migratory crisis, at the end of 2024, housed almost 4,000 people, although today there are far fewer, due to the notable decrease in the migratory flow in recent months».
Thus, the bishop recalled that in recent years tens of thousands of people from Africa have arrived in the archipelago fleeing poverty, conflicts and lack of opportunities, while many others lost their lives trying to reach the Canary coasts.
Then, the director of the Las Raíces Center highlighted the work carried out in these facilities since its opening in 2021. As he explained, more than 54,000 people have been welcomed in the enclosure during this period and about 600 workers are currently involved in the tasks of care, accompaniment and assistance to migrants arriving by sea.
«Thank you for remembering that we are people.»
One of the most moving moments of the meeting came with the testimonies of two people welcomed at the center. A young migrant thanked the Pope for his closeness and assured that his words represent a support for those who have had to leave their home in search of a better life. “We come with simple dreams: to work, take care of the family and live with dignity,” he said. «Thank you for reminding the world that we are all people, that we all need love, peace and opportunities» he added.
For her part, a migrant woman recounted the difficulties experienced during the journey to the Canary Islands and remembered those who lost their lives at sea: «the road to get here was not easy. The journey was full of fear, pain and uncertainty». In his intervention he asked that migrants should not be seen as numbers or administrative files, but as human beings with history, family and hope. “We do not ask for privileges. We do not ask for compassion. We ask for respect, humanity and the opportunity to live with dignity,” he said.
After listening to these testimonies, Leo XIV addressed a message to those present, focusing on welcome, solidarity and the human value of migration.
Pope reminds that God knows no borders
During his speech, the Pontiff recalled that the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which the Church celebrates this Friday, represents the universal love of God towards all people without distinction of origin, nationality or social condition: «beyond our place of origin, the love of God knows no borders, makes no distinctions, is given to all and gathers us together in unity.»
Leo XIV assured that the wounds and sufferings borne by many migrants can find consolation: «Seeing their faces, listening to their testimonies, I also think of their hearts, wounded by so many difficulties and also consoled by the love received thanks to other open, generous and merciful hearts. The Heart of Christ suffered and was pierced for love, and was also comforted by compassionate people who came to alleviate their pain».
A call to mission
The Pope also evoked the figure of saints linked to the Canary Islands, such as José de Anchieta and Brother Pedro, whom he defined as migrants and missionaries who set out for unknown lands driven by faith: «they too were migrants who went into the unknown, carrying as their main baggage faith, hope and charity».
From this example, he encouraged migrants to think about the future of the generations to come, «to whom we want to bequeath the heritage of a civilization of love, and where migration has an important role to play, because «it can be an opportunity for encounter and mutual enrichment between peoples» (Magnifica humanitas, 81)».
«We are all migrants»
In another of the highlights of his speech, Leo XIV affirmed that, in a certain sense, “we are all migrants and pilgrims to our heavenly homeland. He called for fraternity: »Let us help each other to make this journey a more humane place for all, contributing what is within the reach of each one of us«. He also thanked the work done by public institutions, humanitarian organizations and volunteers who collaborate in the care of those who arrive to the islands.
Finally, the Pontiff referred to the very name of the center: «I was struck by the name of this welcome center, which is called “The Roots”. My Predecessor, dear Pope Francis, who longed so much to be with you, liked to use the image of roots to indicate the need not to forget one's origins, to remain united and to trust in the Lord. «For he who trusts in the Lord «is like a tree planted by the waters» edge, which puts down its roots in the current. He will not be afraid when the heat comes, and his foliage will be luxuriant"(Jr 17,8)» (Christus vivit, 133)».
«May this image of roots also help you to be firmly rooted in the Lord (cf. Col 2:7), so that no storm can keep them from his presence, which strengthens and gives life». With this message of hope, he concluded his visit by asking the migrants to remain firm in their faith and assuring them of his closeness and prayers.
Español 
English 
Italiano