The Executive Branch requested that Congress authorize
President Jose Maria Balcazar to travel abroad from June 15 to 19, 2026, for an official visit to Vatican City in order to hold a private audience with
Pope Leo XIV.
Regarding the meeting with Pope Leo XIV, it is scheduled to take place on the morning of Thursday, June 18.
Subsequently, in accordance with Holy See protocol practices, the Peruvian Head of State will meet with the Vatican Secretary of State.
"Considering the excellent state of relations between Peru and the Holy See, marked by a deep historical, spiritual, and cultural tradition, as well as the significant contribution of the Catholic Church to the formation of the nation's identity, education, health care, and assistance to the most vulnerable sectors of society, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers the President of the Republic's participation in the audience to be of utmost importance," the request said.
The request also mentioned that the top official's visit is part of a foreign policy strategy aimed at securing an apostolic visit by Pope Leo XIV to Peru, given his exceptional ties to the country.
"The President's official visit is especially significant, as it will demonstrate the high priority that the Peruvian Government assigns to strengthening its relationship with the Holy See and, particularly, in a direct manner, with the Holy Father," it noted.
Other meetings
The travel request said that President Balcazar will hold a meeting with OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann at the organization's headquarters in Paris to reaffirm Peru's strong commitment to the accession process as a State policy.
Likewise,
the Head of State will meet with FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu to discuss the main cooperation programs being implemented in Peru in order to eradicate hunger and malnutrition.
"Considering that, under the Constitution, the President is responsible for directing the country's foreign policy and international relations; that Peru's accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) constitutes a State policy that transcends political cycles; and given the importance for Peru of continuing to strengthen its bilateral relationship with the Holy See and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), we believe the President should take part in these activities," it added.
The proposed legislative resolution indicated that the top official will remain in charge of the Presidential Office through the use of digital technologies, which incorporate digital security mechanisms and safeguards to ensure the security of the communication tools to be used.
The travel authorization request was submitted by President Jose Maria Balcazar and Prime Minister Luis Arroyo to Congress Chairman Fernando Rospigliosi, who is serving as Acting Chairman of Congress.
(END) JCC/FHG/MVB
Published: 6/11/2026