Peru, Pope Leo XIV and Chiclayo
Digest more
CNN's Stefano Pozzebon is in Chiclayo, Peru, trying what locals say is the Pope's favorite dish. Locals in Chiclayo, Peru, say this is the Pope's favorite dish. CNN tries it
Thousands of Catholics packed the plaza outside the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Chiclayo in this northern Peruvian city to celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving for an adoptive son: Pope Leo XIV.
The small city of Chiclayo in northern Peru was bustling with excitement on Friday, with businesses and locals sharing photos, memories and stories about its most famous former resident: Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo was born in the United States, but for his adopted nation of Peru, he is a “Chiclayano” – a son of the bustling northern Peruvian city where everyone seems to have a story about him.
"To all of you but especially to my beloved diocese of Chiclayo in Peru," he said in Spanish. "Where a faithful people have accompanied its bishop, shared its faith and given so much to continue being a church which is faithful to Jesus Christ." Janinna ...
Peru's president, Dina Voluarte, described Pope Leo as Peruvian "by choice and conviction". "The pope is Peruvian; God loves Peru," she said. Born in Chicago in 1955, he is the son of Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian descent, and Mildred Martinez, of Spanish descent.
Leo XIV first set foot in Peru some four decades ago as a missionary, before becoming bishop of the diocese of Chiclayo in the northwest of the country and gaining citizenship in 2015.