"His way of preaching made us feel that Christ was truly among us. He was not just a priest; he was a true shepherd," recalled David Carranza, a former member of the youth group "Jovenes Amigos de Cristo" (Young Friends of Christ), when Robert Francis Prevost —now Pope Leo XIV— was in charge of the parish “Nuestra Señora de Monserrat” (Our Lady of Montserrat) in the northern Peruvian city of Trujillo, La Libertad region, which —in his opinion— "was transformed into a living, joyful, and committed community."
At the beginning of the 1990s, Prevost helped found that parish in the Monserrate neighborhood of Trujillo, the second most populated city in Peru. David, at the time, was just a boy, but he clearly remembers that gentle and smiling shepherd who motivated him to take part in all kinds of activities, from purely spiritual to recreational ones.
"During all the years he was pastor, I was able to closely experience his humility and his spirit of service, especially through the youth group called Jovenes Amigos de Cristo, which he strongly promoted. It was a period that definitely marked my life and my faith," he emphasized in remarks to Vatican News.
The relationship of the future Leo XIV with the youth was based above all on closeness, deep prayer, and a very special ability to welcome, listen, and guide.
His words, Carranza said, "were firm but warm." "For me, he was a guide, a point of reference, and over time, he became a true spiritual friend," he confessed.
A Transformative Figure
What attracted the youth of the Monserrat parish to that serene and ascetic Augustinian missionary was his ability to profoundly transform lives.
"He truly believed in us, gave us space, understood us, and encouraged us to take on responsibilities in the Church. He didn’t treat us like just any ordinary group, but as the heart of a living Church. Thanks to him, many of us learned what it means to live in community, to share faith with joy, to organize retreats, and to evangelize," he stated.
David Carranza's life took an unexpected turn.
"It happened when, in the youth group created by Father Prevost, I met Cynthia, who is now my wife. We met through sharing faith, service, and prayer. What we experienced was so authentic that today we continue walking in faith, raising our daughters with the same values that the pastor sowed in us," he said.
A Deep Revolution
But Prevost did not bring about a revolution only in youth's hearts and lives.
Under his guidance, the entire parish became a home for all. Many pastoral groups were formed, its structure was decentralized toward other areas of the city. Additionally, dozens of faith gatherings and solidarity activities were promoted.
"In short, the parish ceased to be just a temple; it was transformed into a living, joyful, and committed community. Prevost’s example awakened in many the vocation toward the Church," he added.
The day the new Pope was elected, Carranza turned 43 years old and never would have imagined the extraordinary gift of knowing that it was his former pastor who had been chosen.
"I felt a mix of astonishment, gratitude, and pride. It was impossible not to think of those youthful days, his homilies, his hugs, his affectionate smile. I felt that the Holy Spirit had laid His eyes on a true shepherd," he recounted.
Carranza noted that he was not the only one: "Many of those who knew him reunited after so many years, simply to pray for him and give thanks. Many were moved to tears. We all felt that a part of our heart was there, in Rome."