A group of visitors from northern Peru, including University of Piura (UDEP) members, arrived on July 17, at the summer residence of
in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, hoping to receive his blessing and conveying a message of peace for Peru.
Although a direct audience was not possible due to the private nature of His Holiness’ spiritual retreat, the Supreme Pontiff responded to the gesture by sending his personal secretary, originally from Chiclayo, to greet the pilgrims.
As a token of appreciation and faith, the visitors delivered two symbolic gifts: a delicate filigree piece from Catacaos depicting the Virgin Mary in the shape of Peru's map, and bags of chifles (fried plantain chips), a gastronomic icon of the country's northern region.
Minutes later, in an unexpected gesture, Pope Leo XIV appeared on the residence's balcony and, with a broad smile, waved to the Peruvian visitors, creating a moment filled with emotion and hope.
Castel Gandolfo is traditionally a place reserved for silence, prayer, and rest for the Holy Father.
However, this spontaneous encounter demonstrated the Pontiff's spiritual closeness to the Peruvian people.
Catacaos —the Heroic Town— now feels closer to the successor of Peter, uniting its faith and culture with the Pope's pastoral mission in favor of world peace.
As is known,
Pope Leo XIV, Francis Robert Prevost, was born in the United States but also holds Peruvian nationality.(END) MMC/MAO/JMP/MVB