Pope Leo XIV listened on Wednesday to the testimonies of four Peruvians who, amid different circumstances and hardships, struggle every day to support their families and communities, drawing strength from their faith.
Their stories of love, sacrifice, solidarity, and hope were shared during the Meeting on the Challenges and Hopes for the Future of the Peruvian People, held at the square in front of Lima Cathedral, in Plaza Mayor (Main Square).
Child in ICU
One of the most moving testimonies came from José Manuel de los Santos and Elena Ruiz, a married couple who live in Lima's Rímac district and have four children.
Before the Holy Father, they recalled the anguish they experienced when their youngest child was born with a serious heart condition and spent more than 15 days in an intensive care unit (ICU).
"The pain of seeing him go through that ordeal made us realize our own vulnerability," they recounted, recalling that their faith in God and the support of their parish community enabled them to find the strength to carry on.
The couple, who met nearly 30 years ago while taking part in parish activities, also shared the financial difficulties faced by many Peruvian families, despite their efforts to work and meet their household needs.
They stressed that the family remains a refuge in the face of adversity and expressed concern over individualism and the lack of time to spend together and strengthen spirituality at home.
Community kitchen
Another story of perseverance was that of Yenny Sotomayor, chairwoman of the Puertas del Cielo community kitchen, located in the Nueva Generación human settlement in Morro Solar, Lima's Chorrillos district.
Sotomayor moved those present as she recounted that they must climb 307 steps every day to reach their homes, as no vehicle can access the area.
Without water, electricity, gas, or sewage services, the community kitchen members cook with firewood and organize human chains to transport donations.
Despite these difficulties, she said their faith in God drives them to continue helping children and older adults, in the hope of providing them with better opportunities and a dignified future.
Art and culture
The voice of Cusco's culture was represented by María Antonieta Mérida.
She is a sculptor and the daughter of renowned artist Edilberto Mérida, who portrayed the suffering of farmers and Indigenous people, as well as their faith, in his works.
Before Pope Leo XIV, she emphasized that art and culture are ways to draw closer to God and build unity among peoples, while warning that prejudices and divisions that undermine coexistence among Peruvians still persist.
Drawing on this experience, she asked the Supreme Pontiff to guide the Church on how to turn the country's cultural diversity into an instrument for peacebuilding, heal social wounds, and promote coexistence based on respect and fraternity.
Fruit market
The fourth testimony came from María Poma, a vendor at the Fruit Market in Lima's La Victoria district.
She shared a story marked by poverty, domestic violence, and abandonment.
Originally from Satipo, in Peru's central jungle, Poma arrived in Lima pregnant with her first daughter.
She had to take on various jobs to secure the child's future, particularly because her daughter has different abilities.
Poma later had to raise her second daughter on her own, but found an opportunity to get ahead through fruit trading.
Through hard work, Poma managed to purchase a stall at the market.
In 2014, she took on the leadership of the owners' association to defend the rights of vendors and coordinate their response to emergencies such as the El Niño phenomenon.
Thus, the four stories brought before Pope Leo XIV a portrait of Peru as a country facing economic, social, and cultural hardships yet finding reasons to remain hopeful through faith, solidarity, and daily efforts.
(END) LIT/MVB