on Thursday said that Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to Peru, scheduled for the final months of this year, represents a strategic opportunity to position the country as an international benchmark for religious tourism.
Likewise, the dignitary underscored the positive impact that this event would have across the entire national tourism value chain.
"Yesterday, with great joy, we received confirmation of Pope Leo XIV’s visit. The dates have yet to be confirmed, but based on the 2018 experience, when Pope Francis was in Peru, we have already begun intersectoral coordination to start forming a working team," the Cabinet member stated.
"Clearly, everything will be set in motion as soon as formal confirmation is received, as this requires the issuance of an official communication, and the Foreign Affairs Ministry is already in charge of this protocol matter," the minister noted.
"Since last year we have been working on the implementation of ‘La Ruta de Leon’ (the Route of Leo) which involves several regions," Mera reported.
"The Peruvian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), has been working in advance to ensure that the country is ready to welcome the world. Religious tourism goes beyond faith and spirituality; it is also a cultural expression that energizes the economy, generates jobs, and creates opportunities for the development of our regions," she added.
At the global level, religious tourism accounts for nearly 20% of international tourist flows.
In Peru, this is a segment with strong growth potential that links historical heritage and cultural identity, with the capacity to generate a sustainable economic impact across tourist destinations in the country.
Within this framework, the Peruvian government, through Mincetur, is promoting the Route of Leo —a strategic multisectoral initiative that involves all three levels of government, the Catholic Church, tourism guilds, and the private sector— integrating history, spirituality, and territorial identity.
The Route of Leo is made up of 38 tourist resources located in Lambayeque, Piura, La Libertad, and Callao regions, mainly churches and shrines, along with cultural and natural attractions, thereby promoting Peru’s consolidation as a comprehensive destination for cultural and religious tourism.
As part of these efforts, the permanent museographic exhibition "Por los Caminos de Leon XIV" (Along the Paths of Leo XIV) was recently inaugurated in the northern city of Chiclayo, strengthening the tourism experience and local identity.