highlighted the faith and hope of the Peruvian people as he recalled his time as a missionary and bishop in Peru.
The Supreme Pontiff said the experience profoundly transformed his spiritual life and strengthened his journey of following Jesus Christ.
During a meeting with young people, held as part of his seven-day visit to Spain, the Pontiff recalled the example of thousands of Peruvians who, despite facing various difficulties, keep their faith in God alive.
"I remember the witness of faith shown by people marked by hardships, yet filled with hope. Encountering both the wounds and the joys of the Peruvian people helped me grow in my journey of following Jesus," Pope Leo XIV expressed.
“While I proclaimed Him, I was being transformed by the Gospel. I was transformed by the life and faith of these peoples, who were often materially very poor, but rich in faith," he added.
His Holiness said his experience in Peru allowed him to see how the word of God can become a source of reconciliation, peace, and justice.
Robert Francis Prevost recalled that many of the communities he encountered faced material hardships but possessed a profound spiritual richness rooted in faith.
During his message, Leo XIV also highlighted the figure of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo, whom he described as an example of dedication and service to the people.
He recalled that the Spanish saint carried out extensive evangelizing work in Peru, learning the languages of local communities and promoting justice in the face of the abuses and corruption of his time.
The Pontiff said the witness of saints such as Saint Augustine and Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo has been a source of personal inspiration for him.
"If they were capable, why not me?" he remarked.
Leo XIV encouraged young people to seek role models who inspire them to commit themselves to others and make a positive contribution to society.
Robert Prevost—who holds both U.S. and Peruvian citizenship—is the first pope to visit Spain since 2011.
He will spend seven days in said country, a traditional stronghold of Catholicism in Europe.
On Tuesday, the Pope will travel to Barcelona. There, he will celebrate Mass the following day at the Sagrada Familia, which became the world's tallest church a few months ago.
The Supreme Pontiff will conclude his visit on Thursday and Friday in the Canary Islands, the main gateway for irregular migrants entering Spain.
There, His Holiness will pay tribute to the thousands who have died during the dangerous Atlantic crossing.