Pope Leo XIV appealed to world leaders to treat migrants and refugees with greater humanity during a visit to Spain’s Canary Islands on Thursday, warning that history would judge those who allowed people fleeing conflict and poverty to suffer.
Speaking at the Port of Arguineguín, a former migrant reception site once dubbed the “Dock of Shame,” Leo called the situation an “appeal to the conscience” of politicians in Europe and beyond.
The visit formed a central part of the pontiff’s weeklong tour of Spain and fulfilled a long-held wish of his predecessor, Pope Francis, to visit the islands, one of Europe’s main migration entry points.
Addressing migrants, aid workers and local residents gathered near a memorial to those lost at sea, Leo stressed that “human dignity has no passport and does not lose its value when crossing a border.”
The pope warned against becoming indifferent to migrant deaths on dangerous migration routes across the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
He also called on countries of origin to create conditions that reduce forced migration and urged transit nations to protect vulnerable people from smugglers and traffickers.
During the ceremony, Leo threw a bouquet of flowers into the sea in remembrance of those who died attempting the crossing.
He later met survivors and listened to testimonies from humanitarian workers and migrants, including a Nigerian woman who had been trafficked.
The Canary Islands, located off Africa’s western coast, remain a major destination for migrants attempting to reach Europe through one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.
According to rights groups, thousands have died or gone missing while attempting the Atlantic crossing in recent years.
The port of Arguineguín became a symbol of Europe’s migration challenges in 2020, when large numbers of arrivals were housed in overcrowded and inadequate conditions.
While migrant arrivals surged to record levels in 2024, recent agreements involving Spain, the European Union and several West African countries have contributed to a decline in arrivals.
Leo is expected to meet about 1,000 migrants and refugees on Friday as he continues his visit to the archipelago.
His remarks reinforced a broader focus on migration that has characterized his papacy and echoed themes championed by Pope Francis.