Pope Leo XIV back in Rome after closing Spain visit with message of love, dignity and peace

SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE — Pope Leo XIV is now back in Rome after closing his weeklong visit to Spain, which brought him to Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands.

From the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the Pope closed his visit by returning to the main message of his journey.

“To all, I would like to offer the motto of this journey: ‘Lift up your gaze!’” Pope Leo XIV said, as he turned his thoughts to the wounds of the world and to all people who suffer.

He invited the faithful to look to Christ Crucified, saying his Heart is “the source of mercy” for a world in need of forgiveness, reconciliation and lasting peace.

On Thursday, Pope Leo XIV stopped in Gran Canaria, where he celebrated Mass for the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at a packed Gran Canaria Stadium.

It was the first Holy Mass presided over by a Pope in the history of the Canary Islands. In his homily, he called on the faithful to live with charity and humility.

On Friday, during the last leg of his visit, the Pope met with migrants and organizations working for their integration in Tenerife, one of the key arrival points for migrants trying to reach Europe through the Atlantic route.

In his message, Pope Leo XIV reminded the faithful that migrants are not just numbers or statistics, but human beings with stories, wounds, hopes and dignity.

“Be attentive to teenagers and young people, to the rich and the poor, to residents and guests,” Pope Leo XIV said.

He added that all people need to be looked upon “with a gaze that sees beyond appearances and recognizes the depth of their restless hearts.”

Quoting the First Letter of John, the Pope said: “God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.”

“This is the heart of the Gospel, the heart of Christ,” he said.

Before returning to Rome, Pope Leo XIV said he was deeply moved by the affection he received in Spain and comforted by the testimonies of faith and love for the Church, which he described as a sign of Spain’s profound Catholic spirit.

The Pope’s return flight was delayed after a technical problem was detected in the Iberia-operated plane he was scheduled to board in Tenerife.

After the issue could not be resolved immediately, King Felipe VI of Spain arranged for a Spanish Air Force Falcon aircraft to bring the Pope back to Rome.

Pope Leo XIV later flew back to Rome aboard the Falcon, while the rest of the papal delegation and accompanying journalists were expected to travel on a replacement plane.

Photos: conelpapa.es/ Ana Rodriguez / EFE/Miguel Barreto / Jesus Bilbao