In Chiclayo, the former diocese of Léon XIV in full “Léon Mania”

Of our special envoy to Chiclayo (Peru), Xavier Le Normand

Above all, do not try to convince the Peruvians that the new Pope Leo XIV is not one of their own: it would be a pain lost. If they readily recognize that Robert PREVOST was born in the United States almost 70 years ago, the Peruvians above all recall that he lived at length in their country, in particular during the years of his episcopal ministry for the conduct of the Diocese of Chiclayo, from 2014 to 2023. It is also in this territory between “Costa y sierra” (Between sea and mountain) and its inhabitants that Léon XIV paid tribute in their language, a few minutes after his election to the pontificate, from the Balcony of the Saint-Pierre Basilica. “People here have cried with emotion when he heard the news,” said Janina Sesa, who directed the Diocesan Caritas when Mgr Prevost was still bishop of Chiclayo.

“How not to give thanks to God?” Exclaimed Mgr Farfán Córdova during his homily. (Léon XIV) lived here, (…) He let himself be evangelized by the people of Chiclayo. “” Chiclay, the city of friendship, accompanied Pope Leon XIV in his pilgrimage so that now he accompanies and guides the Universal Church, “continued his successor, trigger the applause of the assistance on numerous occasions.” A school of faith, proximity and humanity “, while in a reciprocal movement” he taught us to live the faith by starting from the sides of the poor, rejected, migrants “.

“Léon XIV is a prepared, balanced pope, with government capacities, but especially with a big heart to welcome everyone and show the world,” continued the current bishop of Chiclayo, always under the ovations of the crowd. And the clamor was even greater when Bishop Farfán Córdova assured that “we will undoubtedly send (to Léon XIV) an invitation to visit us”.

If the pope “loves deeply and carries in his heart” the “simple people” of Chiclayo, in the words of the celebrant, the reciprocal seems just as true, because, as the faithful repeated many times, “¡Papa, Amigo, Chiclayo Está Contigo!” (Pope, our friend, Chiclayo is with you!).

It must be said that many of Chiclayo have met the now Leon XIV during his ministry in their diocese. For him, says Father Jaime Manayalle, 28, ordered by Mgr Prevost, “all the pretexts were good to go to the different areas of the diocese, such as employers or confirmations”. For the past few days, many children of Chiclayo have thus published photos of them on their social networks alongside the one who is now bishop of Rome.

Those who rubbed shoulders with it that Mgr Prevost, tireless, liked to take the wheel of his car himself, including on the most uneven roads-and this “even if he did not necessarily drive very well”, laughs a young person who seems to have known some frights aboard the vehicle of the bishop. And when the areas were too inaccessible, the bishop did not hesitate to leave his car and prefer a more all-terrain movement mode: the horse. “He knows all the realities of this diocese, thus guarantees Father Manayalle, who often accompanied him in travel in the most remote areas.” He was a bishop of the streets, no office, still insists the young priest. And he fell in love with Chiclayo. “

“He is a simple, friendly, warm person with everyone,” said Edmundo Maradiague, met in front of the doors of the Santa Maria cathedral, where he has helped the smooth running of celebrations for a quarter of a century. According to him, Mgr Prevost himself celebrated mass there every Sunday-when he was not by Monts and by Vaux. “He is generous, attentive to the poorest, in the line of Pope Francis”, abounds an Italian nun who has lived in Peru for a long time and who prefers not to give his name.

“And of great humility!” While continues Ximena Valdivia, head of the diocesan pastoral of young people. “He was very close to young people, always available to answer their questions without ever judging them,” explains Jesús, who also works in the pastoral of young people. Another proof of the simplicity of Mgr Prevost: he moved everywhere by carrying his bag himself, illustrates the young man by showing several photos of the bishop, indeed carrying a bag of leather. Images that are reminiscent of those of Pope Francis rising on the plane for his apostolic trips, also black case in hand.