The María Bambina Institute, located right next to St. Peter’s Basilica, was not expecting such a special visit…
Pope Leo XIV, completely unexpectedly, came there to share lunch with the bishops of Peru.
VÍCTOR VILLEGAS
Bishop of Chota, Peru
The lunch had been scheduled for 1:30, then they said 4, then they said 1. We usually say that these changes happen, but it’s not so fast. So… we were having lunch when we were informed of the Holy Father’s arrival. It really was a surprise for all of us.
That he shook everyone’s hand. We were all in the dining room. Today he approached each one, one by one, to shake hands. What a gesture! Truly, what a gesture! And that makes us feel more—proud, in the good sense of the term, right?
And indeed, the connection between Pope Leo XIV and Peru is very strong. The Pope did not hesitate to mention his former diocese of Chiclayo when he was elected pontiff on May 8.
POPE LEO XIV
And if you allow me, also a word, a greeting to all those, and in particular to my beloved diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru, where a faithful people has accompanied their bishop, shared their faith, and given so much, so much, to continue being a faithful Church of Jesus Christ.
The reason the bishops of Peru are in the Italian capital is the visit known as ‘ad limina.’
VÍCTOR VILLEGAS
Bishop of Chota, Peru
The ad limina visit brings together all the bishops and their jurisdictions. In the case of Peru, it demonstrates the universality—the catholicity—of the Church.
In their meeting with Pope Leo XIV, the pontiff reminded them of the importance of promoting unity and communion in order to carry out the mission of evangelization.
On the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the canonization of Saint Toribio, the bishops of Peru presented Pope Leo with a tondo depicting all the Peruvian saints.
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