It’s not something you see often…well, in the Canary Islands, we’ve never seen it.
The Pope will be visiting the Canary Islands this June, with Tenerife included on the route, and it’s already starting to get a bit of attention.
The visit is scheduled for 11th and 12th June, as part of a wider trip across Spain that also includes Madrid and Barcelona.
What’s Happening in the Canary Islands
The visit is split across both islands.
On 11th June, the Pope will be in Gran Canaria, starting in Arguineguín, where the focus will be on the migrant situation and the people working on the front line there.
Later that day, there’ll be a large public event at the Estadio de Gran Canaria, giving people the chance to attend in person.
Tenerife’s Turn
On 12th June, everything moves over to Tenerife.
The main event will be a large open-air mass in Santa Cruz, which is expected to draw a big crowd and will effectively close the visit.
It’s likely to be one of the largest gatherings on the island this year.
The Message Behind the Visit
The official theme is “Alzad la mirada”… essentially about stepping back from day-to-day problems and looking at the bigger picture.
Standard message, but one that will shape the tone of the visit and the speeches.
What to Expect
It’s been around 15 years since a papal visit to Spain – and a first for Tenerife, so there’s a fair bit of planning going into this.
More details are still being released, including how attendance will work and how people can register.
So if you’re thinking of going, it’s worth keeping an eye on updates.
The Reality
Whether you’re religious or not, it’s a significant event.
Not something that happens often… and it’ll bring a lot of people into Santa Cruz for the day.
Expect crowds, road closures, and a bit of disruption… but also a moment that’s fairly unique for the island.