Sanchez to Join Pope Leo XIV at June 11 Canary Migrant Meeting as 1,172 Died on Route
Updated
Updated · macaubusiness.com · Jun 4
Sanchez to Join Pope Leo XIV at June 11 Canary Migrant Meeting as 1,172 Died on Route
2 articles · Updated · macaubusiness.com · Jun 4
Summary
Pedro Sanchez will accompany Pope Leo XIV at the June 11 migrant encounter in Gran Canaria, adding an unscheduled Canary Islands stop to the Spanish prime minister’s already announced Madrid and Barcelona appearances.
Arguineguin port will host the meeting with migrants, volunteers and aid workers as Leo uses the final leg of his June 11-12 Canary visit to spotlight the Atlantic crossing into Europe.
1,172 migrants died or went missing on the Canaries route in 2025, according to the IOM, only slightly below 1,215 in 2024 on a passage known for long distances, strong currents and fragile boats.
The port was dubbed the “dock of shame” after more than 2,500 migrants slept there in the open or under makeshift shelters during a 2020 surge, underscoring why the pope plans to honor those who died trying to reach Europe.
Leo’s trip extends Pope Francis’s migration focus, while Sanchez’s left-wing government has stood out in Europe for a comparatively open immigration stance.
One year into his papacy, is Pope Leo XIV's visit a true continuation of Francis's migrant advocacy?
One migrant's story inspired a Pope, but can it change a system that leaves thousands to perish at sea?
Can the Pope's call for solidarity challenge the EU's tough new migration pact launching this month?
Migration at Europe’s Atlantic Border: Pope Leo XIV’s 2026 Visit to the Canary Islands and Its Impact on Spain
Overview
Pope Leo XIV’s six-day apostolic journey to Spain, which began on June 6, 2026, will conclude with a significant two-day visit to the Canary Islands on June 11 and 12. This final stop, including visits to Gran Canaria and Tenerife, highlights the islands’ importance as Europe’s Atlantic border and a key point for both spiritual and public engagement. The Pope’s tour covers over 2,500 kilometers and is expected to draw around half a million faithful, emphasizing the journey’s wide-reaching impact and the central role of the Canary Islands in his mission.