Pope Leo’s visit to the Canary Islands aims to draw attention to the perilous journeys of migrants crossing the Atlantic Ocean. The Pope will focus on the plight of those who risk their lives in search of a better future in Europe, according to BBC and AOL.com.

Stories of Survivors

Bakary Jaiju. A 19-year-old from Gambia, is one of many who made the treacherous journey. He spent seven days at sea in a wooden boat before reaching the Canary Islands. ‘You can’t even sleep in case you fall in,’ he recalled, now settled in Tenerife. Jaiju left his wife and baby behind, risking everything to ensure his family’s future. ‘I decided to go, whether I survive or I die, because I want my family to be in a good condition,’ he said. Jaiju’s boat carried around 160 people. Including women and children, and managed to evade increased naval patrols off the West African coast.

Humanitarian Appeal

In Gran Canaria, Pope Leo will honor the memory of those who never made it to the Canary Islands by dropping flowers into the sea. He called for a ‘respectful welcome’ for migrants and urged Europe to avoid becoming desensitized to the growing number of unmarked graves in its seas. ‘So many risk death to seek life,’ he said. Data from the UNHCR show that migrant arrivals by sea to Spain have dropped significantly this year, partly due to increased EU-funded interceptions off the West African coast. However, many still attempt the journey and often die.

Local Support for Migrants

Padre Pepe, a parish priest in Tenerife, has been instrumental in helping young migrants. After realizing that local authorities only provided care for migrants until they turned 18, he launched a project to help them learn Spanish and find legal ways to stay in Tenerife. ‘But the streets will eat you up, young people are like carrion there,’ he said. Jaiju spent three ‘very cold, very difficult’ months in a migrant camp before joining the project. The Pope’s visit emphasizes the need for alternative ‘safe and legal pathways’ to Europe, according to BBC and AOL.com.