Pope Leo XIV to Conclude Spain Visit with Historic Mass in Tenerife

Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Spain will conclude on June 12 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife with a ceremony that celebrates both faith and Canarian cultural heritage. The liturgy, held at the port, will feature a historic musical program dedicated to the work of composer Julio Navarro Grau.

Organizers Canon Francisco Hernández and Norberto Hernández have confirmed that the Holy See has approved the repertoire. The highlight of the service will be a performance of fragments from Navarro Grau’s Mass in D Minor. This piece, which had been lost to the public for decades, was recently rediscovered by contralto Montserrat Giró. It will be performed by a 150-voice choir led by Roxana Schmunk, with organist Juan Luis Bardón providing accompaniment.

The performance, expected to be seen by 50,000 people, brings together several local groups. The choir includes members of the Novae Vocal Group and the Nobis Vocal Ensemble, joined by the Orfeón La Paz and the Insular Band of the Tenerife Federation of Music Bands. Mauro Fariña will coordinate the arrangements and conduct the band, while producer Pablo Cebrián has created a special anthem for the Pope’s arrival.

The choice of music is significant. Premiered in 1969, the Mass in D Minor is a landmark of sacred music in the Canary Islands. Including it in the papal agenda is a way to honor Navarro Grau, a composer who was highly regarded throughout the 20th century. The event will close with the Hymn of the Virgin of Candelaria, highlighting the connection between the visit and the patron saint of the Canary Islands.

This event, made possible by the volunteer efforts of the musicians, marks the end of the Pope’s official visit to Spain, which began on June 6. Given the complexity of the music and the scale of the production, the Eucharist stands as one of the year’s most important cultural events in the islands, blending religious tradition with the preservation of local musical history.