During a visit to the Port of Arguineguín in Gran Canaria, Pope Leo threw a bouquet of flowers into the Atlantic to honor migrants who have died crossing from West Africa. He urged European leaders to confront the continent’s indifference and called on origin and transit states to improve security and economic conditions that drive people to risk their lives.

Gran Canaria’s Dock of Hope: A Site of Suffering and Symbolic Rebirth

The Port of Arguineguín, renamed the Dock of Hope after Pope Leo’s visit, has a painful history. In 2020, the port was overwhelmed by arrivals, forcing migrants to camp on the docks with minimal shelter and legal aid. Some were detained longer than the three‑day legal limit allowed by Spanish law, until the ombudsman forced the government to close the camps and relocate migrants to empty hotels during the COVID‑19 pandemic. According to the report, arrivals peaked at nearly 47,000 in 2024 , falling to just over 3,000 by early 2026 after diplomatic deals between Spain and West African governments.

Atlantic Route Deadly: 6,600 Lives Lost Since 2014

The International Organization for Migration data cited in the source shows that approximately 6,600 people have died on the Atlantic route since 2014.. The journey from West Africa to the Canary Islands is often more perilous than the well‑known Mediterranean paths from Libya and Tunisia to Italy, due to the open ocean’s extreme conditions. Pope Leo’s gesture of throwing flowers into the sea mirrored Pope Francis’s 2013 Lampedusa act, underscoring the continuity of the Church’s critique of global indifference.

Survivor Testimonies : From Trafficking to Hope

During his time at the port, Pope Leo listened to rescue workers, aid volunteers,and survivors of human trafficking. A Nigerian woman who had been forced into prostitution after trafficking shared her story. The Pope bowed his head in humility,telling migrants that he wanted to bow before their dignity and reminding them that God recognizes their infinite worth. The visit also included Mame Amandou Neang, a 56‑year‑old Senegalese woman who said the visit was a great honor and a source of hope for those wishing to leave their traumas behind.

Calls to Origin and Transit States: Security, Economy, and Protection

Pope Leo urged countries of origin to improve security and economic conditions so citizens are not forced to flee. He also called transit countries to provide better protection to prveent vulnerable people from falling prey to ruthless smugglers. The Pope’s speech, described as one of the most powerful of his papacy,appealed to the conscience of Europe, arguing that the continent cannot claim to uphold human dignity while Atlantic and Mediterranean routes become unmarked graves.

Unanswered Questions: Who Will Act on the Pope’s Plea?

While the Pope called on European and West African governments to act,the source does not specify which diplomatic channels will be used or what concrete measures will follow.. It remains unclear whether the recent diplomatic deals that reduced arrivals to 3,000 will be expanded or whether new agreements will be negotiated. The report also omits any mention of the right of nations to control borders or limit asylum requests, leaving the balance between humanitarian duty and sovereign policy unresolved.