Election of Pope Leo celebrated with Mass of Thanksgiving in Peru – Catholic World Report

ACI Prensa Staff, May 11, 2025 / 18:23 pm (CNA).

In a jubilant atmosphere, more than 10,000 faithful gathered in front of the Basilica and Cathedral of Santa María de Chiclayo (Peru) to celebrate a Thanksgiving Mass for the election of Pope Leo XIV, who was bishop of the diocese for more than 8 years.

The celebration vibrated with joy following the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost Martínez—both a U.S. and Peruvian citizen—as successor to Peter on May 8.

Dozens of local priests joined Chiclayo Bishop Edinson Farfán at the Saturday evening celebration. The plaza in front of the cathedral was outfitted with an outdoor platform and altar for the occasion, surrounded by musical bands and giant banners with the image of the Pontiff and phrases from his first papal greeting from St. Peter’s Square.

Leo XIV’s love for Peru and an invitation to an apostolic visit

In his homily, Bishop Farfán spoke of the profound love the new Pontiff has for Peru—a country he first visited in 1985—and, in a special way, for the Diocese of Chiclayo, which he pastored from 2014 to 2023.

The Bishop of Chiclayo noted the deep spiritual connection then-Bishop Robert Prevost had with the expressions of faith of the Peruvian people: from his devotion to the Señor Cautivo of Ayabaca and the Señor de los Milagros to his love for the Peruvian saints: Saint Rose of Lima, Saint Martin de Porres, Saint Francis Solano, Saint John Macias, and Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo.

“He drew on the popular religiosity of the Feast of the Most Holy Cross of Chalpón de Motupe, of the Eucharistic City of Eten with the Eucharistic Miracle of the Divine Child, and of the Feast of the Captive Nazarene of Monsefú, on his very birthday,” Bishop Farfán recalled.

“His beloved Diocese of Chiclayo, as he called it in his first address, was for him a school of faith, of closeness, of humanity,” he affirmed, adding that this city in northern Peru “is a simple town that he loved deeply and that he continues to carry in his heart.”

Bishop Farfán also announced that the diocese will extend an “invitation for him to visit us,” and said that “without a doubt, Chiclayo will be in his heart.”

The prelate further emphasized the pastoral profile of Pope Leo XIV, describing him as “a shepherd with the smell of sheep,” deeply human, sensitive to the suffering of the most vulnerable, and close to the needs of the people.

“He taught us to live the Gospel from closeness, with the poor, with the most vulnerable, with those who suffer, migrants, and refugees,” Farfán said, emphasizing that his choice of the papal name is a nod to Pope Leo XIII, “the precursor of the Church’s social doctrine.”

“He is a man deeply sensitive to social justice… he bears the name of Leo XIV in appreciation and fidelity to Leo XIII and his great encyclical Rerum Novarum, which speaks of the dignity of work and of the worker, of social justice and the common good.”

The homily also referenced the role the new Pope played during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he pastored the Diocese of Chiclayo.

“You are witnesses of all that this pastor did in this difficult time. He, like Jesus, made signs of the Kingdom of God with his life… he fed the hungry, healed the sick, welcomed all,” he recalled.

Bishop Farfán asked the faithful to imitate these “signs of the Kingdom of God” and live with the same sentiments as Christ: closeness, mercy, justice, and communion.

Like a good Augustinian, the bishop emphasized, Leo XIV possesses a spirituality rooted in interiority and dialogue.

“He is a pastor who listens and engages in dialogue, willing to discern with wisdom the path God desires for his Church. He knows very well that without Christ we can do nothing… With Christ, everything! Without Christ, nothing!” he said.

The Eucharistic celebration concluded with cheers and applause, with a message of hope and prayer for the pontificate of the new Successor of Peter.

“I’m sure he will also tell us: courage, brothers, let us not allow our hope to be stolen. May the Holy Spirit accompany and strengthen him, and may Mary, the Mother of Good Counsel… protect and inspire him always,” concluded Bishop Farfán.

Following the Mass, the celebration continued with Catholic songs, fireworks and typical folk dances from the region.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.