On May 8, 2025, the Catholic Church experienced a historic moment with the election of U.S. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new pontiff, who adopted the name Leo XIV.
In his first public appearance from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV made a surprise address in Spanish to greet his former diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, demonstrating his deep bond with the Hispanic and Latin American community.
An emotional greeting to Chiclayo
In his inaugural message, Pope Leo XIV said: “And if I may also say a word, a greeting… to all those, in a particular way, to my beloved diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where a faithful people have accompanied their bishop… to remain a faithful church…”. “, he commented.
These words resonated among the thousands of faithful gathered, many of them waving South American flags, and were greeted with a standing ovation that reflected the new Pope’s connection with the Latin American communities.
Track record and links with Peru
Born in Chicago in 1955, Robert Francis Prevost is a member of the Order of St. Augustine and has dedicated much of his life to pastoral service in Peru.
He was appointed bishop of Chiclayo in 2015 by Pope Francis and obtained Peruvian nationality that same year.
His work in Peru included missions in various regions, such as Trujillo, Chulucanas, Iquitos and Apurimac, where he worked as a missionary, parish priest and seminarian formator.
A Pope with a reformist vision
Prior to his election as Pope, Robert Francis Prevost served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America since January 2023.
In his first speech as pontiff, Leo XIV reaffirmed his commitment to a missionary, welcoming and synodal Church, stressing the importance of dialogue and closeness to those who suffer.
Pope Leo XIV worked extensively in Peru, in missions and training of Augustinian aspirants
Significance to the U.S. Hispanic community
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The election of a Pope with deep roots in Latin America and fluency in Spanish has special significance for the Hispanic community in the United States.
Leo XIV represents a bridge between cultures and a renewed hope that the Catholic Church will continue to be inclusive and close to the realities of the Spanish-speaking faithful in the country.
With his greeting in Spanish and his recognition of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Pope Leo XIV not only honored its past, but also sent a message of unity and hope to the entire Catholic community, especially to those who share its cultural and linguistic heritage.
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