Pope to Visit Tenerife Migrant Center Amid Focus on Canary Islands Integration
Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the 'Las Raíces' migrant reception center in Tenerife on June 12 to engage with residents and assess the facility's role in managing migration along the Canary Islands route.
Pope Leo XIV is set to visit Tenerife on June 12, with his agenda centered on the 'Las Raíces' reception center. The visit is a significant moment for the residents, who are preparing by taking language classes, and it offers a chance to review the facility’s role in managing migration in the Canary Islands over the past five years.
Managed by the organization Accem since 2021 under the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, the center has evolved significantly. Francisco Navarro, Accem’s regional head, explained that the facility has constantly adapted to changing migration patterns. Arrivals have shifted from Maghreb countries to nations like Senegal, Gambia, and Mali, with a notable increase in the number of young adults.
The center currently has a capacity for 3,500 people, though it is currently housing 500, supported by a staff of 350. This team provides legal, psychological, and social support to help those who have survived the Atlantic route—one of the world’s most dangerous migration paths. While these facilities have faced criticism in the past, management maintains that the island's reception network is now robust enough to handle emergencies, especially since arrival patterns shifted toward El Hierro in 2023.
The Pope’s visit, which follows a stop in Gran Canaria, also includes events in La Laguna and Santa Cruz de Tenerife aimed at highlighting the realities of integration. For those living at 'Las Raíces,' the visit is an opportunity for direct dialogue. To prepare, the center is holding workshops on the local political and social landscape, helping migrants better understand the environment where they are building their new lives.
Beyond the religious significance, the visit draws attention to the complexities of managing the European Union’s southern border. Accem, which has 30 years of experience, continues to balance emergency aid with long-term integration. With the system currently less crowded, the organization is better able to identify specific needs, such as supporting minors and potential victims of human trafficking.