The pope traveled to Zaña, in the province of Chiclayo, a very special town in Peru. And he was presented with the keys to the city.
But why is this so important? It was here, in 1606, that Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo died during a pastoral visit. He was a Spanish priest and missionary and the second archbishop of Lima.
This year, 2026, is his jubilee year. It marks the third centenary of his canonization. And who better to bring the celebrations to a close than Pope Leo XIV?
And the pope, in his speech, recalled his visit to Zaña during his time in Peru.
POPE LEO XIV
Among them, there is one that I cherish in a special way: the night before I began my ministry as bishop of Chiclayo. I remember spending it in prayer, asking the Lord, through the intercession of Saint Toribio, to grant me the grace to be a shepherd after His own heart. I did not know then everything that lay ahead of me, nor how much I would receive from you.
Pope Leo XIV also spoke about the people who accompanied him during his time in Chiclayo.
POPE LEO XIV
Many years have passed since then, and there are countless faces that remain in my memory. I remember with special affection those who have already gone to the Father’s house and whom I hope to meet again one day. You are all in my prayers.
The pope also wanted to highlight some of the teachings of Saint Toribio, a man who was sensitive to the concerns of different peoples.
POPE LEO XIV
The life of Saint Toribio invites us to consider the needs of our own time as well. I know that many families in this region suffer because of crime, extortion, and insecurity. It pains me to think of those who live in fear, of the people who see the honest fruits of their labor threatened, and of those who still suffer discrimination.
And those present couldn't have been happier. No pope had ever been to this area before. After visiting it as a bishop, the pope wanted to return as Leo XIV.
