Pope’s visit to Peru: A source of hope for a people seeking peace

By Patricia Ynestroza

Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming Apostolic Journey to South America, from 6 to 17 November, has now been officially announced. The Pope will visit three countries in the Southern Cone: Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. During the Peruvian leg of the journey, from 11 to 17 November, he will visit four cities: Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa.

Speaking to Vatican News, Cardinal Carlos Castillo, Archbishop of Lima, described the profound joy and hope with which the Church in Peru has welcomed the announcement. He also spoke about the expectations of the country’s Catholics, preparations in the cities that will host the Pope, and the message of fraternity, unity and peace that he hopes the Holy Father will bring to the nation.

“We await the Pope with great expectation and hope”

The Church in Peru has welcomed the official announcement of the Pope’s visit with immense joy. According to Cardinal Castillo, it fulfils a deep hope that had been growing in the hearts of the Peruvian people.

“As a Peruvian archbishop and cardinal, and as Archbishop of Lima, I can say with complete sincerity that there is enormous expectation as we prepare to welcome the Holy Father,” he said.

The Cardinal recalled Peru’s strong Catholic tradition, adding that the Pope is regarded as “a true friend of the people, of the entire nation”.

He particularly emphasised the Pope’s close ties with the people of Chiclayo, noting that the official announcement had fulfilled expectations that had been building over recent months.

“We have received this news not only with immense joy, but also as a powerful source of encouragement, inspiring us to embrace our faith with renewed generosity as we prepare to welcome him and reinvigorate our Christian and Catholic life,” he said.

Cardinal Castillo noted that the Pope will arrive at a difficult time for Peru, as the country grapples with social problems including crime, contract killings and extortion, all of which have a particularly severe impact on its most vulnerable communities. Against this backdrop, he said the Pope’s presence could help Peru reflect and renew its commitment to life, justice and solidarity.

“The Pope’s presence can help us reflect and breathe new life into a people who already possess it.”

Preparations underway in Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa

Turning to preparations for the visit, the Archbishop of Lima explained that organising committees have already been established in each of the four cities that will welcome the Holy Father.

“The preparatory committees have been very well organised, and each is focusing on its own area of responsibility so that every necessary aspect can be coordinated,” he said.

The committees are overseeing areas including venues, liturgies, the participation of different sectors of society and the organisation of pastoral activities.

The Cardinal highlighted the involvement of young people, local communities, women who help run community kitchens, Indigenous initiatives and various other groups reflecting Peru’s rich social and cultural diversity.

“These preparations are particularly encouraging because they involve so much participation and initiative,” he said, praising the efforts being made in the different regions involved. He also said that all necessary measures were being taken to ensure the Pope receives a warm and safe welcome throughout his visit.

A message of fraternity, unity and peace for Peru

Reflecting on the message he hopes the Pope will bring, Cardinal Castillo emphasised the importance of the Holy Father’s Encyclical and its practical application to life in Peru.

According to the Archbishop of Lima, one of the country’s greatest challenges is to rediscover a shared humanity capable of embracing diversity and building unity.

“Today, we clearly understand that Peru’s deepest problem concerns our humanity,” he said.

The Cardinal explained that the diversity of the Peruvian people should be seen as a source of richness, while building unity must become a shared responsibility. He expressed the hope that the Pope would offer his own perspective on the country’s situation in light of his teaching on fraternity and solidarity.

“It would be wonderful if he could show us how he sees the Encyclical being put into practice in Peruvian life,” he said, noting that the Holy Father knows the difficulties facing the country at first hand.

Among those difficulties, he again cited insecurity, violence and the failure to meet the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable.

In response to these challenges, Cardinal Castillo stressed the need to restore society’s capacity to act and to strengthen a synodal Church capable of creating opportunities for encounter.

“We need to develop that synodal dimension, so that our Church can show, by example, how unity can be built without resorting to violence,” he said.

Finally, he expressed the hope that the papal visit would help foster a peace rooted in dialogue and reconciliation.

“May the Holy Father help to disarm us and enable an unarmed and disarming peace to emerge in all its clarity,” he concluded, expressing the joy with which the Peruvian people are awaiting the Pope.