The King and Queen of Spain, Felipe VI and Doña Letizia, visited the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Africa during their stay in Ceuta, according to the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta. They were received at the temple of the city’s patroness by the apostolic administrator of the diocese, Mons. Ramón Valdivia, and the vicar of Ceuta, Father Francisco Fernández Alcedo.
The diocese describes the sanctuary as “a place of special significance for understanding the city’s religious and cultural tradition.” It is one of the main references for the Marian devotion of the people of Ceuta.
A visit amid a migration crisis
The visit took place at a delicate moment for the city. The Diocese itself recalls the events at the Tarajal border on 30 and 31 July, which affected daily life, security, public services and coexistence.
According to the U.S. Catholic portal Crux, the monarch conveyed a firm message of support for Ceuta as an integral part of Spain, amid a prolonged migration crisis that has strained relations with Morocco.
The Key to the City
At the institutional event, the president of the Autonomous City, Juan Jesús Vivas, conveyed the affection of the people of Ceuta to the King and Queen and reviewed the city’s history: from its ancient roots and its Andalusian past to its ties with Portugal and its incorporation into the Spanish Crown in 1640. The event concluded with the symbolic presentation of the Key to the City to Their Majesties.