Pope Leo XIV to Visit the Canary This Year

The Vatican’s Secretariat of State confirmed, after a meeting with representatives of the Spanish Church, that Pope Leo XIV will travel to the Canary Islands later this year. This will be the first time a pontiff sets foot on the archipelago, marking a historic moment of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance for the region.

“The presence of the Successor of Peter is a sign of closeness and communion, confirming the faith of Christian communities and encouraging the evangelizing mission of a Church that walks with hope amid today’s challenges,” said José Mazuelos, Bishop of the Diocese of the Canary Islands.

Bishop Mazuelos added that the papal visit will be a privileged occasion to renew Christian identity, strengthen parish life, and nurture vocations as a gift and responsibility for the Church’s present and future. He recalled the deep Christian roots of the islands, dating back to the 14th century with the establishment of the first bishoprics and the arrival of early missionaries.

He traced the evolution of the local Church—from the early see in Telde, through the Canarian‑Rubian see initially based in Lanzarote and the brief episcopate of Fuerteventura, to the permanent relocation of the episcopal seat to Gran Canaria in 1435.

The diocese highlighted current social realities in the Canary Islands, including poverty, exclusion, and immigration from Africa, noting the community’s response with hospitality, solidarity, and commitment.

“The Holy Father’s visit will undoubtedly boost the building of a close, Samaritan Church committed to the dignity of every person,” Mazuelos concluded.

Also Visiting Madrid and Barcelona

Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands are slated as the destinations for Pope Leo XIV’s 2026 trip to Spain, according to the first draft agreed upon by the Spanish Episcopal Conference and the Vatican. Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid José Cobo confirmed the plan after a meeting with the Vatican’s Secretariat of State.

“Will there be a trip? Yes, that is the Pope’s intention,” Cobo told the press, noting that the itinerary is still being refined. He said discussions have already begun with the three venues—Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands—and that the Holy Father will provide further guidance once the preliminary notes are reviewed.

The meeting also included the president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Luis Argüello, the Cardinals of Madrid and Barcelona (José Cobo and Juan José Omella), and Bishop José Mazuelos of the Canary Islands.