Your Guide to Pope Leo XIV’s Historic Visit to the Canary Islands
20 May 2026
It’s official! Pope Leo XIV is coming to the Canary Islands, and it’s set to be one of the most significant events our islands have seen in years. On 11 and 12 June 2026, Gran Canaria and Tenerife will host large-scale events, institutional meetings, and open-air Masses that are expected to bring together thousands of people.
Beyond the religious and social significance, the Pontiff's arrival will have a major impact on local mobility, road traffic, and hotel availability. If you're thinking of joining in on any of the events, it’s definitely worth planning your trip well in advance.
To help you make the most of this historic moment, we’ve put together this guide featuring the latest programme, planned routes and, most importantly, our top practical tips on moving around the islands during these busy days.
When is the Pope visiting the Canary Islands?
Pope Leo XIV’s wider visit to Spain will take place between 6 and 12 June 2026. The Canary Islands will mark the final leg of this apostolic journey, with a programme deeply rooted in social causes, particularly regarding immigration and humanitarian aid.
The confirmed dates for the Canaries are:
- Gran Canaria: Thursday, 11 June
- Tenerife: Friday, 12 June
This is a truly unprecedented milestone, as it marks the first time in history that a Pope has visited the Canary Islands. Because of this, we’re expecting a huge turnout from both locals and visitors travelling from all over the world.
The Pope’s Official Agenda in the Canaries
The official schedule blends religious gatherings, institutional ceremonies, and social outreach events. A highlight for many will be the two large-scale public Masses led by the Pope, making these days some of the most anticipated of the year in the islands.
Please note: The times listed below are provisional and have been compiled based on information published by trusted local media outlets, such as El Día and Canarias 7, to keep you in the loop. Given that official state itineraries are always subject to last-minute adjustments, security updates, or delays, we highly recommend verifying the final, definitive timetables on the official event website at conelpapa.es/agenda.
The Pope’s Visit to Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria will be the Pontiff’s gateway to the archipelago, serving as the hub for all his official and pastoral activities throughout Thursday, 11 June.
Arguineguín takes centre stage
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to touch down at the Gando Air Base at 10.50 am. From there, he’ll head straight to the port of Arguineguín for what promises to be one of the most symbolic moments of the entire visit at 11.40 am.
This coastal town in the municipality of Mogán was specifically chosen for its significance on the Atlantic migration route. Here, the Pope will meet with social organisations, volunteers, and those working within the humanitarian aid network, followed by a speech focused on the migration reality currently facing the Canary Islands.
The Papal Mass in Gran Canaria
After the morning events in the south, the agenda moves to Las Palmas, the capital. At 1.30 pm, Leo XIV will visit the Santa Ana Cathedral to meet with local bishops, priests, deacons, religious sisters, seminarians, and pastoral workers from across the Canaries.
The main and most heavily attended event of the day will take place at 6.30 pm at the Gran Canaria Stadium (Estadio de Gran Canaria). The Pope will lead a public Holy Mass and deliver the primary homily of his stay on the island. That evening, he will stay overnight at the Bishopric of the Canary Islands, nestled in the historic heart of the Vegueta neighbourhood.
Mobility and Traffic Access in Gran Canaria
As you can imagine, an event of this scale will bring some exceptional traffic restrictions. The areas likely to see the biggest impact are central Las Palmas, the direct access roads to the stadium, the port areas, and the GC-1 motorway heading south towards Arguineguín.
Local authorities are already planning extensive police checkpoints, temporary parking bans, and road diversions. If you need to travel through these areas, our best advice is to set off a few hours earlier than usual to ensure a smooth journey.
The Pope’s Visit to Tenerife
On Friday, 12 June, Pope Leo XIV will set off from Gran Canaria at 8.30 am, landing at Tenerife North Airport – Ciudad de La Laguna Airport (Los Rodeos) at 9.10 am. According to the schedules shared by official sources and local media, this will be the final stop of his apostolic journey through Spain.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Raíces, and La Laguna
Santa Cruz de Tenerife will be the main hub for official security and institutional activity on Friday, particularly in the hours before the large-scale public Mass at the capital’s port.
That said, the social focus of the trip remains at the forefront from early morning. At 9.30 am, the Pope will visit the Las Raíces Reception Centre in La Laguna to learn first-hand about the migration situation in the islands. He will spend time with migrants, humanitarian aid groups, and organisations committed to social integration and supporting vulnerable communities.
Later, at 10.10 am, he will attend a community gathering at the Plaza del Cristo in La Laguna to discuss the integration of migrants, where he will also deliver an official address.
The Papal Mass in Tenerife
The main Eucharist on the island—and the gathering expected to draw the single largest crowd of faithful followers—will be held at 12.15 pm at the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Following the Mass at the port, Pope Leo XIV will head straight back to Tenerife North Airport. An official farewell ceremony will be held at 2.30 pm, before the papal aircraft departs for Rome at 3.00 pm, bringing this historic tour of the Canary Islands to an end.
How to Get Tickets to See the Pope in the Canary Islands
Excitement is at an all-time high, and thousands of people are already looking to secure their spots for the Masses and public events, which will have strictly controlled capacities.
To make things easy, the primary and most direct channel for managing your registration is the official website, conelpapa.es. While local platforms, such as the Diocese of the Canary Islands website, provide excellent support and detailed information, all official channels will redirect you to this centralised portal to ensure secure capacity management.
We highly recommend registering as soon as possible, as access to the venues will be allocated on a strict, first-come, first-served basis.
Practical Tips for Attending the Papal Visit
If you have already confirmed your attendance at the official events, keeping these basic tips in mind will significantly improve your experience on the day:
- Arrive early: Aim to get to the venues at least three hours before the scheduled start to get through the security checkpoints smoothly.
- Beat the heat: Temperatures in the Canary Islands can get quite high in June. Bringing a hat, high-factor sunscreen, and plenty of water is absolutely essential.
- Wear comfortable shoes: Expect to walk long distances, as roads leading directly to the venues will be closed to regular traffic.
- Pack a power bank: With so many people gathered in one place, mobile networks can become congested, which drains phone batteries much faster than usual.
- Leave the car further out: Avoid trying to drive into the city centres or right up to the event perimeters at all costs.
How to Get Around During the Pope's Visit
The impact on traffic and mobility across both islands will be far-reaching. Regional and local authorities are already rolling out special security, emergency, and traffic protocols to handle the massive influx of people. Over the next two days, it will be essential to check road conditions in real time and keep up to date with official updates.
Airports and Public Transport
The three main airports involved—Gran Canaria, Tenerife North, and Tenerife South—will be operating at peak capacity. Passengers should expect a noticeable increase in crowds and additional, stricter security checks.
While authorities have announced extra services for public buses (locally known as guaguas), trams, and special shuttle transfers, it is realistic to expect significant delays and heavily crowded stations.
Car Hire in the Canary Islands During the Visit
During major events of this scale, having your own vehicle can make a world of difference when travelling between your accommodation, the airports, and the event zones. Additionally, many visitors will likely choose to stay outside the capital cities to escape the busiest crowds.
In this context, booking your car hire with TopCar well in advance is essential to guarantee vehicle availability. For tourists visiting the islands during these dates, having a personal vehicle is the ultimate key to a stress-free trip: it allows you to adapt your route on the go, gives you easy access to quieter towns away from the hustle and bustle, and ensures you won't have to rely on a public transport system pushed to its absolute limits.
A Quick Summary of the Papal Visit
When is the Pope visiting the Canary Islands?
Pope Leo XIV will visit the Canary Islands on 11 and 12 June 2026. On Thursday 11 June, his itinerary will focus entirely on Gran Canaria, while on Friday 12 June, his scheduled events will take place in Tenerife, bringing his Apostolic Journey to Spain to a close.
Which islands will the Pope visit?
The only islands confirmed on Pope Leo XIV’s official agenda are Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
Where will the Pope’s Mass be in Gran Canaria?
The large-scale public Mass in Gran Canaria is scheduled to be celebrated at the Gran Canaria Stadium (Estadio de Gran Canaria) on Thursday, 11 June.
What is the Pope’s itinerary in Tenerife?
On Friday 12 June, he will begin his tour by landing at Tenerife North Airport (9.10 am), then visit the Las Raíces reception centre (9.30 am), hold a meeting in the Plaza del Cristo in La Laguna (10.10 am) and celebrate Mass in the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (12.15 pm), from where he will return to Tenerife North to catch his flight to Rome at 3.00 pm.
How can I attend the Masses and limited-capacity events?
To attend any of the Masses or events with controlled entry, prior registration is absolutely essential. The primary official channel to secure these free passes is the website conelpapa.es. Although local religious platforms are providing details, all official registrations are centralised through this single portal to manage capacities safely. Passes will be allocated on a strict, first-come, first-served basis.
Will there be road closures during the Pope's visit?
Yes. You should expect very severe mobility restrictions, temporary road closures, and diversions. These will particularly impact the access routes to Arguineguín, both capital cities, and the areas surrounding the designated stadiums, ports, and airports.
