Pope Francis is set to make an unprecedented papal visit to the Canary Islands (a Spanish archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa) on June 11 and 12, with stops in Gran Canaria and Tenerife. The regional government has declared a pre-alert status in anticipation of the large crowds expected, and authorities are urging businesses to implement remote working arrangements, while courts and schools may also suspend normal operations on those days. The visit marks the first time a reigning pope has travelled to the Canary Islands, making it a significant moment for the predominantly Catholic archipelago.