Canary Islands Weigh School Closures Ahead of Papal Visit
The Canary Islands government is considering localized school closures during Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit in June, pending a final security assessment of traffic and road restrictions.
Plans for Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to Gran Canaria and Tenerife on June 11 and 12 are already affecting the school calendar in the Canary Islands. The regional Ministry of Education is considering closing schools only in specific areas, rather than shutting down all educational centers across the islands.
Regional Minister Poli Suárez has been cautious, noting that a total suspension of classes is not the preferred approach. The government is currently waiting for a final security plan from the Government Delegation. This report will outline the necessary traffic restrictions and road closures, which will determine exactly where and how school schedules might need to change.
The government’s goal is to limit disruptions to areas most affected by the visit, specifically the metropolitan regions of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. A final decision will be made next week following a meeting between officials to review the security reports and formal requests.
Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Emergencies has issued a pre-alert, which will be upgraded to a full alert for a mass gathering during the Pope's visit. This highlights the challenge of balancing normal school operations with the significant security requirements needed for such a major event.