Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the contribution made by the Afro-Peruvian population to the Catholic Church, expressing his affection and closeness to them. The Supreme Pontiff made these remarks during a visit this afternoon to the district of Zaña, in the province of Chiclayo, within the Lambayeque region.
This district, Leo XIV noted, preserves "the memory of generations of African men and women, torn from their homes and subjected to slavery"—a reference to the large Afro-Peruvian population that has resided there since the time of the Spanish colony.
"Dear Afro-descendant brothers and sisters, I wish to express my affection and closeness to you today," the Pope emphasized.
At this point in his address, Leo XIV also thanked this segment of the Peruvian population "for all that they contribute to the life of this Church."
Following the path of Toribio and Martín
The Pope made these statements during a gathering of prayer and reflection in Zaña, held as part of the closing of the Jubilee Year of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo—a figure whose life was defined by intensive missionary work across virtually the entire territory that is now Peru.
In this context, Leo XIV encouraged the Afro-descendant community to follow the example of this saint, as well as that of Saint Martín de Porres, another member of the same community.
"May the example of Saint Martín de Porres—who received the sacrament of Confirmation from Saint Toribio himself—remind you of how much God loves you, and may it encourage you to persevere on the path to holiness," the Pope stated.
In his address, Leo XIV recalled that the earthly life of Saint Turibius came to an end in Zaña, and that his remains were once interred in a tomb in this town before being transferred to Lima.
"Here in Zaña, there is an empty tomb where I paused a short while ago to pray," the Pope stated.
"As I contemplate it, I think of what remains of his time on this earth: the faith of so many communities and the dedication of those who have followed in his footsteps, bringing the Gospel to the most remote places," he remarked.
Following his address at the Sanctuary of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, located in Zaña, Leo XIV recited the Lord's Prayer with the gathered community and sang along with them.
Before boarding the vehicle that would take him to the city of Chiclayo—where he will rest until tomorrow, when he departs for Cusco—the Pope was honored with a performance of traditional dances from this part of Peru’s northern coast, including the *tondero* and the *marinera norteña*.
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Published: 11/14/2026