Discover the places in Peru that shaped the life of Pope Leo XIV

He knows well the cities of northern Peru and rural areas

Pope Leo XIV. ANDINA/Difusión

08:00 | Lima, may. 11.

Since his first contact with Peru in 1985, when he arrived as an Augustinian missionary, Robert Prevost Martínez —now Pope Leo XIV— carried out a commendable pastoral mission in several locations in our country.

What were the places that shaped his life?

Let us now explore the Peruvian sites where, over 40 years, he carried out his ecclesiastical work, came to know the country’s complex reality, and left an indelible legacy of humility and service to the most in need. We will also review the cultural and tourist features of those places.

Piura

In this northern department began, in 1985, Pope Leo XIV’s unbreakable bond with Peru. At the age of 31, Augustinian priest Robert Francis Prevost Martínez arrived as a missionary and worked for over a decade in the Diocese of Chulucanas.

His last visit was in 2024 when he celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Diocese, an occasion that takes on even deeper meaning following his election as the supreme leader of the Catholic Church.

The Diocese of Chulucanas currently oversees 23 parishes located in the provinces of Ayabaca, Huancabamba, and Morropón.

Trujillo

After briefly returning to the United States to defend his doctoral thesis, Robert Prevost returned to Peru in 1988 to join the Augustinian mission in Trujillo, where he served as director of the joint formation project for novices from the vicariates of Chulucanas, Iquitos, and Apurímac.

Known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” Trujillo won Prevost’s admiration for its deep cultural heritage and strong religious devotion, exemplified in celebrations such as the Festival of Our Lady of the Gate, Holy Week, and Corpus Christi.

Trujillo was also one of the cities visited by Pope Francis during his 2018 apostolic visit to Peru. His itinerary included a massive open-air Mass in Huanchaco, tours of neighborhoods affected by coastal El Niño flooding, and a Marian celebration in the city’s Plaza de Armas in honor of Virgen de la Puerta (Our Lady of the Gate).

- Pope Leo XIV sends greetings in spanish to his "Beloved Diocese of Chiclayo" in Peru

Chiclayo

Of all the Peruvian localities where Robert Prevost carried out his admirable pastoral mission, Chiclayo undoubtedly stands out, where he served as bishop following his appointment in 2014 by Pope Francis. In 2018, Prevost was elected vice president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference.

During the time that Monsignor Prevost remained in the capital of the Lambayeque region, the great affection and commitment he had long felt for Peru grew stronger and led him to request Peruvian nationality. After obtaining it through naturalization, he received his national ID (DNI) registered in Chiclayo.

Bishop Prevost’s pastoral work in Peru came to an end in 2023 when Pope Francis called him to Rome to assume the role of prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

Cardinal Prevost’s everlasting affection for his beloved Diocese of Chiclayo was immortalized in his first message after being elected Pope Leo XIV.

“And if I may, also a greeting to all those, in a particular way, to my beloved Diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru, where a faithful people accompanied their bishop, shared their faith, and gave so much to continue being a faithful Church of Jesus Christ,” he said during his address from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

More in Andina:

#AndinaEnglish Pope Leo XIV: Robert Prévost arrived in Chulucanas, Peru in 1985 https://t.co/EppLIwuOci pic.twitter.com/aBodohzqzs
— Agencia Andina (@Agencia_Andina) May 8, 2025