16:01 | Piura (Piura region), Jun. 18.
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Peru will take place during the first half of November, the
President of the Republic, Jose Maria Balcazar, announced Thursday following his
audience with the Catholic Church head at the Vatican.
The top official indicated that Piura will be one of the destinations included in the papal trip to the South American country along with Lima, Chiclayo (Lambayeque region), Pucallpa (Ucayali region), and Cusco.
The announcement was welcomed by the Archbishop of Piura and Tumbes, Monsignor Luciano Maza.
He noted that a possible visit by the Supreme Pontiff to the country's northern region would provide an opportunity to strengthen hope among the population and promote unity in the face of the challenges confronting the region.
The archbishop said the announcement, including further details, could be made in the coming months once coordination between the Vatican and Peruvian ecclesiastical authorities has been completed.
Maza recalled that Piura has already demonstrated its capacity to organize large-scale events, as it did during the visit of Saint John Paul II.
Likewise, the priest stated that the northern Peruvian region is prepared to take on a similar challenge.
"Piura has demonstrated its ability to come together for events of this nature. If God grants us the grace of welcoming the Holy Father, we will be spiritually prepared, and the authorities will also know how to respond," he pointed out.
Unity in the face of El Niño phenomenon
During his remarks to the press, the prelate noted that, beyond its religious significance, the announced papal visit could help raise awareness of public interest issues, particularly those related to preparedness for a possible El Niño phenomenon and its consequences.
"We, the authorities, must come together for the common good of the region. We cannot wait for problems to occur before taking action. Now is the time to implement preventive measures and work in a coordinated manner," he said.
The monsignor expressed concern over climate forecasts warning of a possible increase in rainfall in Piura region during the coming months—a situation that could exacerbate existing problems related to infrastructure, public health, and risk management.
In this regard, the archbishop urged local and regional governments, as well as the institutions involved, to accelerate preventive works and strengthen emergency response capabilities.
Furthermore, Maza recalled that the region continues to face challenges related to dengue and other public health issues that could intensify in the event of heavy rainfall.
"The city, the bridges, the healthcare system, and all the logistics required to respond to an emergency must be addressed in advance. We still have time to act, and we must make the most of it," he emphasized.
The archbishop also reported that the Catholic Church has been carrying out preparedness efforts through its parishes and Caritas—an organization with teams of volunteers dedicated to providing assistance and humanitarian aid in emergency situations.
Lastly, he called on the public to remain hopeful and harness this opportunity to strengthen unity and solidarity, regardless of whether Piura is included in the official itinerary of the Pope's visit to Peru.
(END) MMC/MAO/MVB
Published: 6/18/2026