Thousands of Catholics packed the plaza outside the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Chiclayo in this northern Peruvian city to celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving for one of their own: Pope Leo XIV. Source: Catholic Review.
The new Pope, who, as Bishop Robert Francis Prevost, served as bishop in Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023, was fondly remembered by attendees for prioritising the poor, bringing the Church closer to the people and embracing his adopted country.
“We want to thank the risen Lord for having given us this Thursday, May 8, a new successor of Peter, of Christ, Pope Leo, our beloved bishop,” said Bishop Edinson Farfán Córdova of Chiclayo, who succeeded Bishop Prevost when he was made prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in January 2023 and elevated to cardinal in September that same year.
“He was among us here. He lived here, learned here. He allowed himself to be evangelised by the simple and faithful people of our lands,” Bishop Farfán Córdova continued in his homily.
“Msgr Roberto Prevost was also a man of communion and interiority, who was close to and sensitive to current reality. How can we not thank God for our beloved Diocese of Chiclayo?”
Peruvians have greeted the election of Pope Leo with elation, pride and even disbelief that an adopted prelate whose pastoral formation came as an Augustinian missionary in poor and undeveloped parts of Peru could become pope and represent the country on the world stage.
The elation was especially strong in Chiclayo, where attendees at the Mass shouted “¡Viva el Papa León!” (“Long live Pope Leo!”) and “¡El papa es chiclayano!” (“The pope is a native of Chiclayo!”). Many recalled with pride how he acknowledged Chiclayo in his opening remarks after being introduced to the world as Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo was born in Chicago but spent nearly 20 years in Peru and became a citizen. People remember his fondness for local dishes such tortitas de choclo, a popular corn cake, along with tireless travels through the diocese, especially in times of crisis such as catastrophic flooding.
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Chiclayo, Peru — where Leo XIV was bishop — celebrates one of own becoming pope (OSV News via Catholic Review)
