The new Pope Leo XIV, whose civil name is Robert Francis Prevost, made his first public appearance as pontiff this Thursday in the Vatican. During his speech, he dedicated a few words in Spanish to remember his beloved diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru.
The newly elected pope expressed: "And if you allow me also a word, a greeting... to all those, in a particular way, to my beloved diocese of Chiclayo in Peru." These words echoed from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, marking a significant gesture towards his past in that region.
With this greeting to Chiclayo, Leo XIV emphasized the importance of his former diocese and showed his appreciation for the community he left behind upon assuming his role as Supreme Pontiff. His message in Spanish was welcomed both in Peru and around the Catholic world, marking a promising beginning for his papacy.
Pope Leo XIV's gesture of addressing Chiclayo in Spanish highlights his emotional connection to that region and his desire to maintain a close relationship with it, despite taking on his new role as the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. This act symbolizes his willingness to remember and honor his roots while embarking on his mission as the successor of Saint Peter.
