Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the Canary Islands (Spain) on June 11, 2026 is considered an important political and human development that has been at the center of the migration debate in Europe, which has become increasingly heated in recent years. The Canary Islands, which have become one of the main entry points for irregular migrants trying to reach Europe across the Atlantic, have come to prominence in recent years as one of the symbols of the external borders of the European Union (EU). The Pope’s visit can be interpreted not only as a message of religious solidarity, but also as a strong moral intervention against the treatment of migration as a security-oriented issue in Europe.
The Canary Islands route is particularly used by irregular migrants departing from West Africa. Although this route is longer and more dangerous compared to the Mediterranean route, it has become an alternative transit route due to increased border controls in recent years. According to the data of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there has been a significant decrease in the number of people reaching Spain by sea in 2026. [i] However, this decrease does not indicate that the migration pressure has disappeared, but that the EU-funded naval patrols off the coast of West Africa are carrying out more blocking activities. Therefore, the decline in statistics does not mean that migration mobility has come to an end.
The main issue that Pope Leo XIV stressed during the visit is the creation of legal and safe migration routes through which people can reach Europe without risking their lives. [ii] This approach offers an alternative perspective against the fact that current European policies are significantly based on the principles of border protection, repatriation and deterrence. Especially in the European public opinion, the fact that migration is often associated with concepts such as “crisis”, “burden” or “invasion” has made the Pope’s rhetoric even more remarkable. Thus, the Catholic Church is attempting to redefine the issue of migration within the context of human rights and human dignity, removing it from the security axis.
One of the noteworthy aspects of this development is the immigration policies implemented by the Spanish government in recent times. The government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has launched a comprehensive program that allows hundreds of thousands of irregular migrants who entered the country before a certain date to regularize their legal status. This policy represents a different approach compared to the restrictive immigration policies that have become widespread across Europe. Conservative opposition parties call this arrangement incompatible with the EU’s general migration policies and an irresponsible step, while the government defends it on both economic and humanitarian grounds.
Spain’s approach is not solely driven by humanitarian concerns. The country, like many European states, is facing the problem of an aging population and a shrinking workforce. There is a severe shortage of personnel, particularly in the tourism, construction, transportation, and service sectors. The statements made by local administrators and employers in the Canary Islands also confirm this situation. It is stated that there are labor force shortages in many occupational groups such as personnel who will work in hotels, bus drivers, construction workers, technicians and mechanical craftsmen. For this reason, the integration of immigrants into the labor market is considered not only a social policy, but also important from the point of view of economic sustainability.
The Canary Islands case study points to a broader structural problem facing Europe. On the one hand, there are political movements demanding stricter protection of borders, while on the other hand, there is a labor shortage required by economic systems. This situation has become particularly evident in the rhetoric of right-wing and far-right parties that have risen in Europe in recent years. Emphasizing the effects of migration on national identity, security, and public services, these parties advocate for the restriction of migration movements. On the other hand, certain segments of the business world and some governments state that migrant labor is needed to maintain economic growth.
This contradiction has become more apparent with the entry into force of the EU’s new Migration and Asylum Pact. The new regulation aims to facilitate the faster detention and repatriation of people who reach Europe by irregular means. The main purpose of the pact is to more effectively protect external borders and expedite asylum procedures. However, human rights organizations argue that these practices can undermine the rights of people seeking international protection and make access to asylum procedures more difficult.
It is symbolically important that Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the Canary Islands coincides with this exact period. While the EU is trying to increase border security, the Catholic Church proposes a more inclusive and people-centered approach. This situation demonstrates that the migration debates in Europe have not only political or economic dimensions but also ethical and moral dimensions. The Pope’s messages constitute an alternative normative framework against approaches that primarily view migration as a security issue.
Discussions on migration are expected to intensify further in the coming years. The rapid population growth on the African continent, the pressures created by climate change, regional conflicts and economic inequalities indicate that migration movements towards Europe will continue. On the other hand, Europe’s demographic decline and labor force needs also make it practically difficult to completely prevent migration. Therefore, while European states must strengthen border security, they may also be compelled to develop controlled and legal migration mechanisms.
As a result, Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the Canary Islands brought the concepts of human dignity and solidarity back to the center of immigration debates in Europe. The visit clearly reveals the tension between the security-oriented migration policies of the European Union and economic needs and humanitarian responsibilities. Dec. The example of the Canary Islands shows that Europe’s future migration policy cannot be shaped only by border protection measures, but also needs to be redefined taking into account labor needs, demographic realities and international human rights norms.
[i] United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Operational Data Portal: Spain Sea Arrivals. UNHCR, https://data.unhcr.org/en/situations/europe-sea-arrivals/location/24567, (Date of Access: 14.06.2026).
[ii] Rainsford, Sarah. “Pope Leo Visits Canary Islands to Highlight Perilous Journeys of Migrants”, BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn59w6p3vd0o, (Date of Access: 14.06.2026).
