La Laguna Cloistered Nuns Prepare Handcrafted Tapestry for Pope’s Tenerife Visit

The upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV to Tenerife is already changing the look of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Local reports highlight how the city’s cloistered religious communities are playing a key role in the preparations. The most prominent sign of this is a handcrafted tapestry now hanging from the main balcony of the Episcopal Palace, featuring papal symbols and the traditional colors of the Holy See.

This project showcases the vital work cloistered communities contribute to major church events. The Poor Clare nuns, based near the Plaza del Adelantado, created the tapestry and are also crafting the altar cloth for the Pope’s upcoming Mass. Their work, which blends linen with traditional embroidery and needlework, was a collaborative effort involving nuns of all ages.

The tapestry at the Episcopal Palace—which oversees the islands of Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro—marks a key point in the Pope’s visit. After visiting the Plaza del Cristo, the Pope will travel along Viana and San Agustín streets toward the palace, where the emblem will serve as a focal point.

This collaboration coincides with the Jornada Pro Orantibus, a day dedicated to honoring religious orders focused on prayer and contemplative life. By preparing these liturgical items, the Poor Clares are highlighting a side of their vocation that is usually hidden from the public but remains essential to church ceremonies. This effort in the heart of La Laguna serves as a bridge between the Church’s administrative life and the artisanal traditions of its most secluded communities.