Chiclayo, the city in Peru where Leo XIV was bishop and which he greeted in his first speech at the Vatican

"A special greeting to my beloved diocese of Chiclayo , Peru , where a faithful people have accompanied their bishop, shared their faith, and given so much to remain a faithful church of Jesus Christ." The new Pope, Leo XIV, dedicated these words to the faithful of his former diocese in his first appearance from the Vatican balcony. Robert Francis Prevost 's life is closely linked to the Andean country.

A life linked to Peru

The now pontiff, born in Chicago in 1955 , first arrived in Peru in 1985 on a mission from the Order of Saint Augustine, three years after being ordained a priest. In 1988, he returned to the South American country, specifically to the city of Trujillo , where he directed the Augustinian seminary for 10 years.

In 2014, he returned for a third time, this time as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, where he was later appointed bishop. He became a naturalized Peruvian citizen in 2015. Prevost also served on the Peruvian Episcopal Conference from 2018 to 2023, serving as second vice president. He also served as apostolic administrator of the province of Callao from 2020 to 2021.

What to see in Chiclayo

The city of Chiclayo , the fifth most populated in the country, is located on the northern coast of Peru and is the capital of the province of the same name and the department of Lambayeque. Known as the "Capital of Friendship" due to the friendly nature of its people, the city's ancient history is linked to the pre-Hispanic Moche civilization , from which important archaeological remains have been found. For example, one of the main tourist attractions in the area is the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum , located 20 minutes from Chiclayo, which houses the remains from the tomb of this ancient Moche ruler from the 3rd century.

Chiclayo's Main Park and Cathedral are the heart of the city. This neoclassical temple, painted a soft yellow, stands out for its atrium and sacred artwork. Other places of interest include the Casa de Augusto B. Leguía, where the former president spent his childhood; the Casa Montjoy , with the longest balcony in Peru; and the Paseo de las Musas , lined with statues.

In the surrounding area, we'll find a wide variety of archaeological sites that are also worth visiting: the Úcupe Murals, the Túcume Pyramids, the petroglyphs of Cerro Mulato, Huaca Chotuna, the Ventarrón archaeological complex, Batán Grande, and Huaca Rajada, where the royal tomb of the Lord of Sipán was found. And if we want to enjoy the nature of this area of ​​northern Peru, we have several options, such as the Laquipampa Wildlife Refuge, the Pómac Forest, the Mayascón ponds, the Chaparrí National Ecological Reserve, and the Espinal waterfall in Oyotún.