For Filipino Spanish immigrants, Pope Leo’s visit carries a message of dignity and visibility

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Assemble the Editor

MADRID — As Pope Leo XIV begins his apostolic journey to Spain on Saturday, Filipino immigrants in the country see this journey as a major part of Catholicism, seeing in it a message of dignity and respect for people who live far from home.

The pope’s June 6-12 visit will take him to Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Tenerife, and Gran Canaria. The inclusion of the Canary Islands, one of the main points of entry into Europe for migrants crossing from Africa, has made this visit of special importance amid ongoing debates about migration in Spain and the rest of the continent.

For Cardinal Pablo Virgilio S. David, the pope’s decision to include the Canary Islands in his visit shows a clear sign.

“The fact that his trip includes the Canary Islands – Spain’s front line for migrants crossing from Africa – tells us that this is not just a visit,” Cardinal David told BusinessWorld.

“The Pope goes where it hurts. He shows that the Church does not look away.”

The visit comes as migration remains a major problem in Spain.

Reuters reported in May that the Spanish government’s immigration program could benefit hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants. The report, citing Funcas, a Spanish think tank, said that around 840,000 undocumented immigrants are currently part of the Spanish workforce.

Cardinal David said that the presence of the Pope will accompany Filipinos who leave the Philippines in search of better opportunities.

“For our Filipinos in Spain, I believe that the presence of the Holy Father is a powerful reminder that they are invisible,” he said.

They came looking for a better life, and to give Spain their work, their faith, and their families.”

The cardinal said that Pope Leo’s motto for this visit, Alzad la mirada (“Lift up your eyes”), speaks directly to migrants.

“The Pope says: you have dignity, you have a future, raise your eyes.”

Cardinal David also drew attention to the historical ties between Spain and the Philippines. “Spain once sent missionaries to the Philippines to plant the Gospel,” he said.

“Today, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos are living witnesses of that faith – right here in Spain. They are not just recipients of aid. They are the Church, present and active, in the heart of Europe.”

Among those looking forward to the visit is Mariel, a 33-year-old Filipino from Bohol who has lived in Madrid for four years and works as an interna, or live-in domestic worker.

Mariel said she considers it a privilege to have the opportunity to see Pope Leo in Spain.

“When we heard that he was coming here, I thought maybe it would be good to go, or just to see him,” she said.

Mariel said that she rarely goes to Mass because of work demands. He added that several of his Filipino roommates are planning to attend events related to the pope’s visit.

Another Filipino worker, Marjorie, 26, from Tarlac, said other Filipinos encouraged her to join them. “It’s an honor to come here,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to see him and hear his words of wisdom.”

SVD priest Ferdi M. Bajao said Filipino immigrants are likely to accept Pope Leo not only as a leader of the Catholic Church, but also as an ordinary person.

“Hospitality is deeply embedded in our national psyche, so a visit from a loved one, or a loved one will create a familiar and family warmth – a sense of presence,” he told BusinessWorld.

“Filipino immigrants will definitely long for the presence of a friend, a father, a teacher, a brother – a panauhin who deserves the best welcome, and who is ours, di iba sa amin.”

He said the pope’s visit will have special significance for Filipinos living far from their families.

“It would be enough to see the Pope as a tangible image of the Lord, dear to the Catholic nation exiled in another country,” he said.

“Filipinos will be built that Christ comes to them lonely, helpless, and in their chains—work, sending money home, separated from loved ones.”

“The person of the Pope is a strong foundation for the conviction that everything will be fine, that each one is precious, and most importantly: he does not forget.”

He also pointed out the historical relationship between Spain and the Philippines.

“This will be a full circle for the Filipinos who first received the faith from Spain in 1521, and are now ‘missionaries of the Faith’ in Spain,” he said.

For Cardinal David, the broader significance of the papal visit lies in the way migrants are viewed.
“Immigrants are not a problem that should be controlled,” he said.

“They are people to be accepted – as the Gospel demands and as our common humanity demands.”