"God Loves Peru": Nation Celebrates New Pope as One of Their Own

• May 12, 2025

Midway through his first speech as pope, Leo XIV paused in Italian to greet the people of Peru in heartfelt Spanish.

As Pope Leo XIV delivered his first address in Italian from the Vatican balcony, he paused, smiled, and asked to say a few words in Spanish.

"A greeting to all and in particular to my dear Diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru," he said warmly.

It was a powerful gesture for a country that now sees one of its own elevated to the pinnacle of the Catholic Church. Though born in Chicago in 1955, Pope Leo XIV – formerly Bishop Robert Prevost – is a naturalized citizen of Peru and has spent much of his life serving communities there. His papal election was met with jubilation across Peru.

Outside Lima’s cathedral, cheers rang out as bells marked the historic moment. Isabel Panez, a primary school teacher, reflected the national mood: “For us Peruvians, it is a source of pride that this is a pope who represents our country.”

Prevost’s journey to Peru began in 1985 when, at 30, he joined the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas. He later served in Trujillo, working closely with local communities for nearly three decades. Known for his humility and closeness to the people, he often said, “I came from Chicago to Chiclayo – only a few letters apart,” as recalled by Diana Celis, a parishioner.

He referred to Peru as “mi segunda patria” – my second homeland. In 2015, he officially became a Peruvian citizen, following his appointment as bishop of Chiclayo by Pope Francis the previous year.

President Dina Boluarte summed up the nation’s sentiment: “The pope is Peruvian; God loves Peru.”

Prevost’s legacy in Peru is marked by tireless community service. Janinna Sesa, who worked with the Church’s Caritas nonprofit, recalled him wading through floodwaters to aid residents during devastating rains in 2022. He personally delivered food and blankets to isolated Andean villages, often driving a white pickup truck and sleeping on a thin mattress.

“He ate whatever people offered him—potatoes, cheese, corn—but when he could, he’d treat himself to carne asada and a Coke,” she said. He was also known for his love of cars and mechanical skills, often repairing broken-down trucks himself.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Prevost led efforts to secure not one, but two oxygen production plants, providing critical support as the virus claimed more than 217,000 lives in Peru.

In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, placing him in charge of vetting bishop appointments worldwide. He was also named president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Still, Prevost reportedly asked to remain in Peru longer.

Yet, his record is not without controversy. Allegations have surfaced regarding his handling of sexual abuse cases in Chiclayo. Three women accused him of failing to act on reports of abuse they made in 2022, concerning incidents that occurred in 2007. The diocese stated that the accused priests were suspended and the matter referred to the Vatican, which ultimately decided against a full canonical trial.

Despite these concerns, many in Peru focus on the hope Pope Leo brings. Bishop Edinson Farfán of Chiclayo described him as deeply shaped by the diocese: “It’s his beloved diocese, his life. He learned here everything he can share with the world.”

In Rome, Peruvian student Thomas Nicolini reflected on the significance: “Chiclayo is a beautiful area but needs a lot of hope. Now, I’m expecting the new pope to help as many people as possible and reignite the faith young people have lost.”