Pope warns people smugglers they face God’s wrath

Pope Leo's return flight to Rome from Spain was delayed when his Iberia charter experienced a technical problem, grounding the plane in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. King Felipe VI of Spain offered his private Falcon jet to transport the Pope and his delegation. The King personally escorted Pope Leo to the aircraft on the tarmac. The flight departed over three hours later than scheduled. This unexpected travel arrangement concluded Pope Leo's week-long visit to Spain, which included stops in Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands. Iberia was arranging a separate flight to collect other members of the Vatican delegation and journalists.

During his final day in the Canary Islands, Pope Leo XIV issued a stern warning to human traffickers, demanding they cease their exploitation of migrants and repent, or face divine retribution. Speaking at a meeting with humanitarian aid organizations on Tenerife, the Pope implored traffickers to "break those chains and free those you hold in bondage," emphasizing the severe consequences for every life lost and person exploited. This visit, fulfilling a wish of Pope Francis, highlights the Catholic Church's commitment to welcoming migrants amidst rising anti-immigrant sentiment. Pope Leo XIV also urged receiving communities to integrate those fleeing poverty and conflict, stressing that every life lost on these perilous routes is a failure for humanity. The Canary Islands serve as a critical entry point for migrants from West Africa, a route considered particularly deadly due to the vast ocean and scarcity of rescue resources.

During his weeklong tour of Spain, Pope Leo has made migration a central theme, particularly during his visit to the Canary Islands. He directly addressed human traffickers, warning them they will face "God’s wrath" and "divine justice" for exploiting desperate African migrants attempting to reach Europe. The Pope urged these individuals to "repent while there is still time." The Canary Islands, located off the coast of Africa, are a significant entry point into Europe for migrants undertaking dangerous sea journeys. Pope Leo also emphasized the inherent dignity and rights of migrants, calling on global leaders to welcome and integrate them. The article notes a significant increase in migrant arrivals to the Canary Islands in recent years.

Pope Leo XIV visited Spain's Canary Islands, a major European migrant entry point, shortly after criticizing the country's immigration policies. During his visit, he met with migrants and aid organizations at Port of Arguineguin, a site previously known as the "Dock of Shame" due to migrant crises. The Pope emphasized the dignity of migrants, calling for an end to counting the dead and advocating for legal and safe immigration pathways. The Canary Islands have seen a significant increase in migrant arrivals, with thousands attempting dangerous sea journeys annually. The Pope's visit and remarks have drawn contrasting reactions, with Spain's socialist government liberalizing migration policies while conservative lawmakers have called for stricter border controls.

Pope Leo visited Spain's Canary Islands, a significant European migration hotspot, to address the plight of migrants. On Thursday, he appealed to world leaders for more humane treatment of refugees and migrants, emphasizing that "human dignity has no passport." The Pope will meet with approximately 1,000 migrants on Friday who have made dangerous journeys to reach Europe. He expressed concern about the growing number of deaths at sea and urged against indifference to suffering, stating that history would judge those who fail to protect vulnerable lives. This visit fulfills a wish of his predecessor and is a central part of his weeklong tour of Spain, during which he has also highlighted the global crisis caused by escalating conflicts.