During his visit to the Canary Islands, Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful message in the city of La Laguna in Tenerife, calling for an end to the criminal networks that profit from migrant trafficking and urging societies to build a world “without walls”, where solidarity, dignity and human fraternity prevail over fear and indifference.
Speaking before more than 2,000 people gathered in the Plaza del Cristo, the Pontiff condemned the mafias that organise dangerous migration routes, warning that those who exploit the vulnerability of desperate people in search of a better future will ultimately face justice.
“Money wrested from the vulnerability of the poor will bring neither peace, nor honour, nor a future,” the Pope declared. Addressing those involved in human trafficking directly, he added: “Stop. Repent. There is still time.”
During the event, Leo XIV listened to testimonies from migrants and representatives of organisations involved in reception and integration networks across the Canary Islands. In a moment that drew applause from the crowd, the Pope even joined in the popular “six-seven” dance at the invitation of a young Senegalese migrant.
A Warning to Human-Trafficking Networks
The Pope issued one of his strongest condemnations to date against criminal organisations that profit from irregular migration, stressing that every life lost at sea and every family deceived by false promises represents a grave moral failure.
“For every life lost and every family deceived, those responsible will have to answer before divine justice,” he said.
He urged traffickers to break the chains they have imposed on countless victims and to make amends for the suffering they have caused, insisting that redemption remains possible if they choose to abandon their criminal activities.
“The Hardest Walls Are Not Made of Stone”
Throughout his address, Leo XIV repeatedly returned to the theme of inclusion and human dignity. Referring to La Laguna as a “city without walls”, he reflected on the invisible barriers that migrants often encounter after reaching their destination.
“Sometimes the barriers hardest to break down are not made of stone,” he said. “They are found in our gaze, in fear, or in indifference.”
According to the Pontiff, genuine hospitality requires more than opening borders; it also demands opening hearts. He encouraged local communities to welcome newcomers and recognise them as individuals rather than statistics.
Integration as a Shared Journey
The Pope also spoke extensively about integration, describing it as a mutual process that benefits both migrants and host societies. “Integration does not mean erasing the history of those who arrive,” he explained. “It is a reciprocal journey.”
While migrants must learn to adapt to a new environment, language and culture, those who receive them are likewise challenged to broaden their understanding of community and belonging.
For Leo XIV, successful integration allows people to preserve their identity while building meaningful connections with others.
Beyond Bread and Shelter
Addressing Catholic communities, the Pope stressed that welcoming migrants cannot be reduced to a purely administrative or social task.
Although newcomers require practical support such as housing, food, employment opportunities, language training and legal protection, he argued that they also need a sense of belonging and spiritual accompaniment.
“They need bread, shelter, language, work and protection,” he said, “but they must also find communities capable of offering paths to encounter Jesus Christ.”
The Pontiff warned against viewing migrants solely as victims, insisting that many seek not charity alone but the opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society.
“Their dignity has not disappeared in the waters they have crossed,” he stated. “They seek a concrete chance to start again, to learn, to work, to serve and to participate fully in society.”
The “Silent Shipwreck” of Loneliness
One of the most emotional moments of the speech came when Leo XIV referred to what he described as the “silent shipwreck” experienced by many migrants after arriving in Europe.
While public attention often focuses on tragedies at sea, the Pope warned that another form of suffering can occur once migrants reach land. He described the loneliness of arriving in an unfamiliar city without family, friends, employment, language skills or social support.
A Christian conscience, he argued, cannot remain indifferent to either reality: the visible tragedies occurring in the ocean or the invisible struggles faced by migrants trying to rebuild their lives. “The cemeteries of the sea challenge us,” he said, “but so too does the silent shipwreck of being left alone.”
Building Communities of Hope
Leo XIV emphasised that integration is ultimately about preventing that second shipwreck. According to the Pope, communities have a responsibility to help people recover from trauma, regain confidence and discover their talents.
“Those who arrived wounded should not remain forever trapped in their pain,” he said. “They must be helped to stand again, recognise their gifts and place them at the service of the community.”
The Pontiff also addressed migrants directly, particularly those from Latin America, the Philippines and other regions represented in the Canary Islands. “You are part of this community,” he told them. “You help to renew it.”
In closing, Leo XIV encouraged local residents not only to welcome migrants but also to learn from them. “Allow yourselves to be evangelised by them too,” he concluded, underscoring the idea that migration can become a source of mutual enrichment and renewal for society as a whole.
