Following an apostolic visit to Uruguay and Argentina, Pope Leo XIV arrives in Peru today, Wednesday, November 11, to reconnect with a country that is part of his personal and pastoral history. Over the course of six days—from November 11 to 16—he will travel to Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco, and Pucallpa.
His itinerary includes large-scale masses, meetings with government officials, young people, and religious communities, among other activities.
While this marks his first apostolic visit to the country since his election as Pope on May 8, 2025, it is by no means his first encounter with the reality of Peru. Born Robert Francis Prevost, he first arrived in Peru as an Augustinian missionary and spent a significant portion of his religious career there—initially as a formator, and later as the Bishop of Chiclayo, a role he held for eight years, from 2015 to 2023.
The theme of his visit is "Let Us Open Our Hearts"—an invitation to renew faith, strengthen fraternity, and sustain hope. The official image for the visit depicts the Pope alongside five saints deeply rooted in the Peruvian Catholic tradition: Saint Rose of Lima, Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, Saint Martin de Porres, Saint Francis Solano, and Saint John Macías.
A country with a Catholic tradition
Pope Leo XIV will find a nation where the Catholic Church maintains a long-standing presence in education, healthcare, and social welfare. The Church also plays an active role in addressing issues such as poverty, migration, violence, and the defense of human dignity.
However, the religious identification of Peruvians has shifted; according to the 2017 census, approximately 76% of the population aged 12 and older identified as Catholic, compared to 89% recorded in 1993.
In Lima and Callao—the first stop on his itinerary—the pontiff will once again encounter an ecclesial community with which he maintained close ties during his years of service in Peru.
In March 2018 (by then Bishop of Chiclayo), he was elected second vice president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, and in April 2020, he assumed the role of apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Callao—a responsibility he held throughout the pandemic.
The capital is also home to some of the most representative expressions of Peruvian popular religiosity, such as the devotion to the Señor de los Milagros (Lord of Miracles), whose procession draws thousands of the faithful every October.
The pontiff himself demonstrated his affinity for this tradition when, in 2025, he sent greetings from Rome to the members of the Hermandad (Brotherhood). During his visit to the Peruvian capital, he plans to stop at the Las Nazarenas church on Avenida Tacna to pray before the *Cristo Moreno* (Dark-skinned Christ).
Chiclayo: A return to the diocese that shaped his life
The visit to Chiclayo will hold special personal significance for the Holy Father. On November 3, 2014, Pope Francis—who was pope at the time—appointed him apostolic administrator of this diocese; he took office four days later and received episcopal ordination on December 12 of that same year. In September 2015, he was named bishop, a position he held until 2023—a period during which he traveled among communities, supported priests, and shared in the lives of the faithful.
Robert Prevost celebrating one of his birthdays in Chiclayo. Photo: Cáritas Chiclayo
During his time in Lambayeque, Prevost also strengthened his involvement in the Peruvian Church by taking on responsibilities within the Episcopal Conference. Consequently, his return represents a reunion with the people he accompanied for years and with a region that holds an important place in his pastoral journey.
Cusco and Pucallpa
In Cusco, the pontiff will arrive in a region where Catholic tradition is expressed through celebrations that form an integral part of the inhabitants' cultural identity. Notable among these are the procession of the Señor de los Temblores (Lord of the Earthquakes)—considered the sworn patron of the city—and Corpus Christi, a festivity that brings together numerous religious icons and thousands of tourists. The visit will also provide an opportunity to encounter expressions of faith that remain vibrant within Andean communities, practiced in both Spanish and Quechua.
Pucallpa, meanwhile, will allow the pontiff to engage with the reality of the Peruvian Amazon, its communities, and the challenges faced by its inhabitants.
His connection to this region stems from his years of missionary work and religious formation in the country: after returning to Peru in 1988, he was sent to Trujillo to lead an Augustinian house of formation, which brought together religious figures destined for service in various territories, including the Amazonian vicariates.
During this part of his journey, he will meet with missionaries and representatives of Amazonian peoples—a visit that will highlight the significance of this region to the Church.
Robert Prevost arrives in a village on the back of a donkey and is welcomed by a large group of children.
Six days of encounters and celebrations
The pontiff arrives in Lima today, Wednesday, November 11, at 5:30 p.m., landing at the Callao Air Base. Following the official welcome, he will head to the Government Palace to meet with the President of the Republic, Keiko Fujimori. This evening, he will participate in a gathering with government officials, representatives of civil society, and the diplomatic corps.
The following day, Thursday, November 12, he will hold a meeting with the Peruvian bishops, take part in a celebration at the Cathedral of Lima, and meet with young people and university students at the National Stadium.
On Friday, November 13, he will travel to Chiclayo, where he will preside over a Mass on the esplanade of the Pampas de Pimentel and hold meetings with representatives of the Church and the academic community.
The following day, Saturday, November 14, he will visit Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, in Cajamarca, to celebrate Mass with the faithful. He will also visit the sanctuary of Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo, in Zaña, where he will take part in a day of prayer marking the conclusion of the Jubilee Year dedicated to this saint.
On Sunday the 15th, he will continue his journey to Cusco, where he will meet with the faithful and representatives of popular piety at the Saqsaywaman archaeological park and lead the Angelus prayer. Afterward, he will travel to Pucallpa, where he will meet with missionaries and representatives of Amazonian indigenous peoples, and celebrate Mass at the Ucayali Regional Sports Complex.
Finally, on Monday, November 16, he will visit the Home for the Elderly run by the Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly, and preside over a farewell Mass at the Las Palmas Air Base in Surco, Lima, before departing for Rome.
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Publicado: 11/11/2026