Carolina Bellocq
Leticia and Dora are chefs from Guatemala who now live in Castel Gandolfo. When Pope Leo XIV decided to spend his summer there, the town’s daily life changed. And they had an idea.
DORA CUTZAL
Well, we live very close by. We’re practically
neighbors, and every time he comes, we know it because the road next to our house gets closed. And that’s why we came up with the idea and wanted to do this little something for him.
First, our love for the pope moved us—that’s the first thing, the most important thing. And then, since we’re into cooking, we thought of making something to eat for the pope. We decided to make him a lemon pie. After asking around, we got some information and found out that the pope likes to enjoy lemon pie. And that’s why we decided to make it.
They found a recipe from Peru and adapted it
using local ingredients. It took several attempts, to figure out the right combination.
They sent the treat to the pope through their parish priest and were told that Pope Leo XIV really enjoyed the dessert.
DORA CUTZAL
To me, that’s something truly impressive, truly
moving to be able to create something I can give to him and show my affection for the Holy Father. We see how much he gives of himself to people, and for me, this is a lesson: to be able to serve and give what I can through my work, through what I do, and that’s why this project came about, and I truly do it with great joy.
Not only did the pope enjoy the dessert and express his gratitude, but he also asked them to make another one to treat a cardinal who was coming to visit him.
Leticia and Dora got right back to work on the pie. By then, others in town had already heard about it, and some neighbors even brought their lemons as ingredients.
DORA CUTZAL
The pope thanked us in a letter for all the affection and love we’ve shown him through these small gestures, and he also mentioned that we’ve been part of his rest here in Castel Gandolfo. And as a token of his gratitude, he’s sent us rosaries and photos of himself so we could pray for him and his intentions. I keep it because it’s very important to me, knowing that the letter comes from the Pope himself.
In the past, these chefs have brought the pope and the Swiss Guards a variety of ice creams and croissants as well.
And of course, they have made their signature pie again. Only now, instead of “lemon pie,” it is known as the “Leon Pie,” after Pope Leo XIV.
