Tenerife Finalizes Preparations for Pope’s Open-Air Mass at Los Llanos Dock
Preparations are underway at Tenerife’s Los Llanos Dock to transform 40,000 square meters of port space into a liturgical venue for Pope Leo XIV’s open-air Mass on June 12th.
Preparations for Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to Tenerife have entered their final stage. Work is now underway at the Los Llanos Dock in the capital, where the Pope will hold an open-air Mass on June 12th to conclude his trip to Spain.
The project involves transforming 40,000 square meters of port space into a liturgical venue. Architect Alejandro Beautell has designed the central structure, a 300-square-meter space inspired by the floor plan of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and the symbolism of the Trinity. This area will feature three levels and house significant religious icons, including the Christ of La Laguna and the Virgin of Candelaria. It will also host more than 400 members of the clergy, including Bishop Eloy Santiago and, expectedly, Archbishop Luis Argüello.
Managing an event of this scale requires extensive coordination. While Beautell is overseeing the design, engineer Francisco Vera—known for his work on large-scale musical events—is managing the seating infrastructure. Security and crowd control are being handled by Manuel Asensio, who has developed a plan that includes securing the route for the Popemobile. The vehicle will travel from La Salle school to the port at a slow pace of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour.
A major logistical challenge has been providing enough seating. Organizers are preparing 50,000 seats, which has required gathering furniture from across the islands and renting an additional 25,000 units from the mainland. So far, 25,000 people have officially registered to attend, and 1,600 volunteers have been recruited to assist with the Pope’s various stops, including visits to the Las Raíces migrant center and the Plaza del Cristo.
The Port Authority has provided the old La Candelaria container terminal for the event. Over the next month, the site will be equipped with giant screens and modular sacristies, creating a venue that balances religious tradition with the security and capacity needed for such an international occasion.