He is one of the pope’s most trusted men, and he can be seen at the pope's side at every public event—but he is always in the background. And not only since May 8, 2025, when Robert Prevost, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, became Pope Leo XIV.
Mons. Edgard Iván Rimaycuna is the personal secretary of Pope Leo. The secretary from Chiclayo and the one from Chicago had already worked together when Prevost was in Peru. This continued when the course of the Church led Prevost to the prefecture of the Dicastery for Bishops.
Edgard Rimaycuna gave an interview to Alfa y Omega after his visit to the Archdiocese of Madrid. In his remarks, he shared a mediation on what it is like to be a secretary to the successor of St. Peter.
MONS. EDGARD RIMAYCUNA
Secretary of Pope Leo XIV
No one teaches you how to be the Pope’s secretary, because it is an assignment that comes suddenly. Over these months I have reflected on two ideas, especially on the image of two saints we find in Sacred Scripture. The first is Saint Joseph, the saint of silence, who does not speak a single word. His whole life was spent in the background, because Mary and Jesus were always in the foreground. The other figure is Saint John the Baptist. He has a phrase that says: “He must increase, and I must decrease.” I believe these are the two images that summarize the mission and task of a secretary.
Those who know Pope Leo highlight his analytical ability and his pragmatic approach—what some might call 'North American' traits. On the other hand, he has a warmer, more personable style in close interactions, typical of Latin America. As a pastor, he was always known for his ability to listen.
MONS. EDGARD RIMAYCUNA
Secretary of Pope Leo XIV
Everything remains the same, because he has not changed. I would put it this way: only the clothing has changed—it is now white—and the assignment. The man we have all known is still the same: approachable, calm, with a great capacity to listen, and always available. Despite the heavy workload, the pace, and the many activities, he always finds time to welcome and listen.
In Latin America, we are used to physical closeness, to direct contact even in religious expressions—the popular religiosity is very vibrant. And the Holy Father has brought this into the governance of the Church: in his closeness he always seeks to greet, to smile, to offer a word of encouragement, a phrase, or a small gesture.
He knows how to combine American prudence and practicality with the closeness he learned in Latin America, expressed through warm, friendly, and affectionate gestures.
In view of Pope Leo’s highly anticipated papa; trip to Spain in June 2026, his secretary has also stated that Pope Leo XIV knows the country well, and also how much Spain has given to the Church in the world.
MONS. EDGARD RIMAYCUNA
Secretary of Pope Leo XIV
Throughout history, Spain has been known as a land that has given many saints and a holiness of great authority and weight in the Church, through its teaching and the sanctity of life. The
Holy Father wants to acknowledge what Spain has given to the Church.
The Pope and his secretary actually met when Prevost was the superior general of the Augustinians and Rimaycuna was a seminarian—it was in 2006, in Rome. Who would have thought that they would return to the Eternal City to take on such key roles as pope and papal secretary?
