Pope Leo XIV on Thursday met with bishops, priests, deacons, religious, seminarians, and pastoral workers at St. Anne's Cathedral in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This meeting occurred during the penultimate stop of his Apostolic Journey to Spain, which focused on migration, social challenges, and the Church's role in supporting vulnerable communities. The Canary Islands have emerged as a significant entry point into Europe for migrants from West Africa, and the local Church has been active in providing both humanitarian and pastoral support.
During his address in the cathedral, Pope Leo expressed gratitude for the witness of a "living Church," which he described as reflecting "the joys and hopes, the grief and anguish of the people of our time, especially those who are poor or afflicted." He conveyed that he had come to the islands "as a father and brother in the faith," referencing his earlier words at the start of his papacy: "With you I am a Christian, and for you, I am a bishop."
In his reflections on the day's reading from the Letter to the Ephesians, Pope Leo highlighted the importance of recognizing the various gifts and ministries within the Church, emphasizing their role in fostering unity. He stated, "The Lord's call resonates anew in our hearts today and confirms our vocation and mission: to build the Church together, founded on Christ, the 'cornerstone.'" He urged those present to "build on what is good, to harmonize our differences and to work together for the good of all."
Pope Leo articulated two essential attitudes for Christians aiming to become "wise architects" in constructing a "civilization of love." The first, he stated, involves embracing the Cross of Christ. Using the surrounding ocean as a metaphor, he pointed out that it symbolizes both home and belonging as well as challenges and uncertainty. He quoted Saint Augustine to illustrate humanity's longing for its true homeland, noting that this quest requires crossing "the sea of this world." He affirmed, "No one is able to cross the sea of this world unless they carry the cross of Christ," and emphasized that saints exemplify how to navigate life's difficulties by trusting in Christ.
The second attitude he presented was cultivating a Eucharistic spirituality. Pope Leo referenced the local tradition of showering flower petals before the Blessed Sacrament during Ascension celebrations, describing it as a reminder of Christ's centrality in Christian life. He explained, "On our pilgrimage, the goal is the encounter with Christ; he is the centre of Christian life, before whom we bow our knees in adoration, around whom we gather to form one body." He quoted the Second Vatican Council's Lumen Gentium, stressing that Eucharistic participation enhances Church unity and fosters a deeper sense of communion among believers. He noted, "Cultivating a Eucharistic spirituality means delving deeper into 'a spirituality of ecclesial unity in love.'"
In concluding his address, Pope Leo encouraged the local Church to draw inspiration from the numerous holy individuals who shaped Christianity's history in the Canary Islands. He called on the faithful to remain united in faith, hope, and charity, referring to these virtues as "three stars that rise in the sky of our spiritual life to guide us to God," echoing the sentiments of Saint John Paul II. The Pope entrusted the Church in the Canary Islands to the Virgin Mary, under the title "Stella Maris," or Star of the Sea, and urged Catholics to continue their mission with confidence while seeking the Holy Spirit's grace to remain united and faithful amid today's challenges.
