Pope Leo met with migrants and NGOs at a port in Spain's Canary Islands, previously known for squalid conditions in 2020. The Pope's visit comes as migrant arrivals in the Canary Islands have decreased significantly, but the issue remains a pressing concern for Europe and the world, with thousands of lives lost at sea.
The number of migrant arrivals in the Canary Islands peaked in 2024 at nearly 47,000, but has since fallen to just over 3,000 in the first five months of 2026. According to the International Organization of Migration's Missing Migrants Project, over 6,600 deaths have been recorded on the Atlantic route from West Africa since 2014.
Pope Leo's visit is a call to action, urging a more humane approach to migration. The Pope told migrants, 'I bow before your dignity,' as reported by Al Jazeera. He will spend US Independence Day on the island of Lampedusa, following in the footsteps of Pope Francis.
The plight of migrants is a pressing concern for European countries and the global community, which are called upon to provide a humane response to migration. As Pope Leo stands on the shores of the Canary Islands, he is not just addressing the migrants gathered before him, but also the conscience of Europe and the world.
The exact number of migrants Pope Leo will meet is unclear, but his message is one of dignity and respect for all people, regardless of their nationality or circumstances. As the Pope's visit comes to a close, the question remains: what concrete steps will be taken to address the issue of migration and prevent further loss of life at sea?