The Bishop of Chiclayo, Edinson Farfán, affirmed that Pope Leo XIV, elected as Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, “loves Peru and loves Chiclayo,” in addition to being “very sensitive to poverty.”
In a press conference, he indicated that during his stay in Peru serving in various charges, including those of Bishop of Chiclayo, the current Pope toured the entire Lambayeque region and part of Cajamarca, since “he was always a missionary.”
He noted that this desire became evident when then-priest Robert Prevost finished his studies in the United States and wanted to come to the town of Chulucanas, in Piura region, where he carried out his first missionary work.
Later, he was sent to Trujillo, in La Libertad, to establish the seminary, the institution where the new Augustinian priests began their training.
Bishop Farfán highlighted the special mention the new Pope made in his first words as Supreme Pontiff about Chiclayo, a city where he was also bishop.
He also noted that, with this message, the Pope has issued a call to maintain the faith and not be discouraged in the face of difficulties, alluding to the characteristics of the Diocese of Chiclayo.
"He is very sensitive to poverty," said Farfán, who believed that the name he chose at the time of his election as Pope alludes to that of Leo XIII, "who is the father of the social doctrine of the Church," he said.
- Pope Leo XIV sends greetings in spanish to his "Beloved Diocese of Chiclayo" in Peru
Synodality will go on
In this regard, the Bishop of Chiclayo considered that the new Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church will continue the guidelines of Synodality promoted during the papacy of Francis I.
“They (Pope Leo XIV and Pope Francis) have been very close,” he recalled.
Bishop Farfán said that there is an agenda already drawn up on this issue until 2028, which reflects what was expressed in this regard at the Sixteenth Synod of Bishops.
“Synodality is walking together, fostering spaces of encounter for dialogue, listening, prayer, discernment, and good decision-making,” the bishop stated.
In this regard, Farfán noted that the new Pope will insist on the desire of his predecessor, Francis I, to “seek consensus for the well-being of our people,” guided by the principle of “less words, more action.”
Likewise, as an Augustinian priest, the Bishop of Chiclayo expressed his gratitude to Our Lady of Grace, the patron saint of that religious order (to which the new Pope also belongs), whose feast day is commemorated today.
Farfán also said he has "mixed feelings of gratitude" and asked Catholics to "pray a lot" for Pope Leo XIV.
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Published: 5/9/2025