received in general audience a delegation of parishioners from the Peruvian city of Chiclayo and other provinces of Lambayeque region, led by a priest who was ordained when the current Supreme Pontiff served as bishop of the local diocese.
Father Jose Martin Uriarte —who is currently parish priest of the Church of San Pedro in northern Lambayeque region— led a delegation of 25 people who expressed to the Bishop of Rome their gratitude for all the good he did during his service as head of the Diocese of Chiclayo.
"In Chiclayo he was always present for everyone, and today we come to him to thank him for all the good he did in our diocese," said Father Uriarte.
Along with the young priest, another 25 people traveled from the northern city to the Vatican to "embrace our Father Roberto once again."
Nine years ago, Father Uriarte belonged to the first group of priests ordained by Robert Francis Prevost in the Peruvian diocese.
The current parish priest of San Pedro in Lambayeque handed Pope Leo XIV a letter with the thoughts of "the people of our community."
The priest recounted "the tears of joy shed on May 8 and the unceasing recitation of the rosary after the appearance of Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Basilica," the day of his election as supreme leader of the Catholic Church worldwide.
Leo XIV —Robert Francis Prevost— is American but also holds Peruvian nationality, having spent much of his life on missions in the Andean country, eventually becoming the Bishop of Chiclayo.
(END) NDP/LZD/JMP/MVB