Through Supreme Decree No. 017-2026 of the Ministry of Justice, the Republic of Peru was recognized on Saturday as the "Land of Pope Leo XIV" and the city of Chiclayo as "Faithful Town," in homage to the Supreme Pontiff.
The aforementioned decree, published in the legal provisions bulletin of the official gazette El Peruano, is intended to highlight the land of an illustrious citizen of the world, such as Pope Leo XIV.
He freely opted for and chose Peruvian nationality in order to carry out his priestly ministry in Peru, focusing his episcopal ministry on the city of Chiclayo, Lambayeque region.
"The Republic of Peru is hereby declared the Land of Pope Leo XIV, as an homage and solemn testimony of the Nation's gratitude for the more than 40 years of pastoral, civic, and community ties between His Holiness Leo XIV and the Peruvian people, a country whose nationality he embraced in 2015 and to which he has devoted his priestly, episcopal, and apostolic ministry, especially to vulnerable populations," Article 3 of the aforementioned decree states.
Article 4 recognizes the city of Chiclayo, Lambayeque region's capital, with the distinction and honorary title of "Faithful Town."
This commemorates the fact that it was the Pope's home, episcopal see, and community of life, ratifying the designation that the Supreme Pontiff himself conferred upon it before the universal Church.
The designation conferred in Article 4 of this Supreme Decree does not invalidate, modify, or restrict the historical title of "Heroic City of Chiclayo," granted by Supreme Decree No. [S/N] of April 15, 1835. It is formally incorporated under the protocol formula of "Heroic City and Faithful Town of Chiclayo."
The aforementioned decree bears the signatures of President Keiko Fujimori; Minister of Justice and Human Rights Ernesto Álvarez; and Prime Minister Luis Galarreta.