Architect Unveils Stage Design for Pope’s Upcoming Tenerife Visit

Preparations for the Pope’s upcoming visit to Tenerife are underway, with the design for the thanksgiving mass stage now revealed. Architect Alejandro Beautell, known for his work with the islands' religious heritage, has been chosen to lead the project.

The event will take place at the Los Llanos dock in the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The site covers 39,000 square meters and can hold up to 60,000 people, with a 900-square-meter area set aside for the liturgy. Beautell’s design aims to blend the port’s industrial setting with religious symbolism. By facing the altar toward the city and using the ocean as a backdrop, he intends to highlight the migratory reality currently facing the Canary Islands.

Technically, the stage is a three-level geometric structure. The 30-by-30-meter base features local volcanic gravel and native plants at its corners. Above this sits the presbytery, which will hold the papal seat, the ambo, and the high altar, flanked by statues of the Christ of La Laguna and the Virgin of Candelaria. The roof is designed with a white exterior and a bright Vatican-yellow interior, with the overall layout shaped like a Tao cross.

Beautell was selected for his minimalist style, which favors exposed concrete and open, airy designs. His firm has shifted its focus to meet the project's tight deadline, with only 50 days left until the event and just one month to complete the final assembly.

The project aims to turn the port area into a natural grandstand. By elevating the altar, organizers hope to ensure the Pope is clearly visible to the crowd. While the structure is temporary, the design is intended to feel permanent and dignified. By incorporating the city of Santa Cruz into the ceremony’s backdrop, organizers hope to make the event a landmark moment in the capital's history.