Pope Leo heads to Spain to stand 'shoulder to shoulder' with migrants

Pope Leo heads to Spain on Saturday for a week-long tour, his first visit to an EU country outside Italy, which will culminate with the pontiff meeting migrants in the Canary Islands who braved dangerous Atlantic waters to enter Europe.



Leo, who drew the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump after criticising his anti-immigration policies, is expected to attract large crowds on the June 6 to 12 visit and will also be the first pope to address the Spanish parliament.



The first U.S. pope's itinerary includes stops in Madrid, Montserrat and Barcelona, where he will inaugurate the newest tower of the Sagrada Familia, the famed modernist basilica that has become the world's tallest church.



On the last two days of the visit, Leo will travel to the Spanish islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, off the western coast of Africa, where he will meet with migrants and organizations dedicated to helping them.



The visit to the islands will send a signal that the pope stands "shoulder to shoulder" with migrants, said Caya Suárez Ortega, who heads the Church's leading NGO in the Canary Islands.