Pope Leo XIV has sent a letter to the Bishop of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Mons. Eloy Alberto Santiago, thanking him for the welcome during his trip to Spain and highlighting the charity of the Canary people.
Pope Leo XIV has sent a personal letter to the Bishop of the Nivariense diocese, Mons. Eloy Alberto Santiago, dated June 15, in which he expresses his gratitude for the visit he made to Tenerife. In the letter, the pontiff highlights the charity and service of the Canary people, as well as the warmth with which he was received during his stay on the island.
The letter, addressed to the Bishop of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, underscores the spirit of faith that permeated every moment of the visit. The Pope thanks the joint effort of the bishop, the local committee, and the faithful who made it possible for this historic event for the Church in the Canaries to take place successfully.
A paternal thank you
In the text, the Holy Father writes:
“Thanking the Lord for all that I experienced during my trip to Spain, upon returning to Rome, I wish to send you a few lines to express my particular gratitude to Your Excellency, the local organising committee, and all the faithful of the Nivariense diocese.”The pontiff also blesses the efforts made and the acts of charity that are offered daily to those in need.
The letter includes a special mention of the Virgin of Candelaria, patroness of the Canaries, under whose intercession the Pope imparts the Apostolic Blessing to the entire archipelago. This gesture reinforces the historical bond between the Canary Church and the Vatican.
Impact on the diocese
For the faithful of the Nivariense diocese, which encompasses the island of Tenerife, this letter represents a direct acknowledgment from the Pope of their pastoral and community work. The papal visit, which took place weeks earlier, was a milestone for the local Church, mobilising thousands of people in large events.
Bishop Santiago has received the letter with emotion and gratitude, according to diocesan sources. It is expected that the letter will be read during the upcoming Eucharistic celebrations in the diocese, as a sign of the Pope's affection towards the Canarians.
The letter, dated June 15, arrived at the episcopal see of La Laguna in recent days, coinciding with the feast of Saint John the Baptist, the patron of the city. The faithful have expressed their joy on social media, sharing excerpts from the papal text.
This epistolary exchange reinforces the special relationship between the Vatican and the Canaries, a land of deep Marian tradition. The Virgin of Candelaria, whose basilica in the municipality of Candelaria is a pilgrimage centre, has been mentioned by the Pope as the intercessor of the archipelago.
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Tenerife was the first by a pontiff to the island in decades, and it left an indelible mark on the local Catholic community. Now, with this letter, the Pope demonstrates that the bond continues beyond the journey.
