Wow Pope Leo XIV is Honored by Peru with a New Statue Remembering His Over 20 Years as a Missionary in the Country!

On November 13, at 4:00 p.m., a moment of deep faith and solemnity was held during the liturgy of the Word, and the subsequent inauguration and blessing of the statue of Pope Lion XIV, a five-meter-high sculpture located in the Papal Oval "Gran Chimú" Presided by Monsignor Edinson Farfan Cordova, O.S.A., Bishop of Chiclayo.
The ceremony brought together faithful, authorities, pastoral agents and representatives of different communities, who came together to be part of this historic and symbolic gesture. During the liturgy, Monsignor highlighted the figure of Pope Leo XIV as a reference of devotion, service, and the pursuit of peace, inviting all to look to his testimony as inspiration in the path of faith.
Following the proclamation of the Word, Monsignor proceeded to bless the new statue, which from today becomes a point of prayer and spiritual encounter for visitors. The moment was accompanied by the participation of Donnie Yaipen.
The sculptor Ñañake, along with a team of six local artists, invested three months of work in modeling and assembling the piece. “It has been an artistic and spiritual challenge. We wanted Pope Leo XIV to reflect serenity and approachability. His smile will welcome all who arrive in Chiclayo,” the artist expressed.

Made entirely of fiberglass and resin, materials resistant to the arid climate of northern Peru, the figure of the Pontiff stands on a 2-meter concrete pedestal, extending a hand in a gesture of blessing.
This new statue forms part of the new The "Paths of Pope Leo XIV" tourist route which was launched in Callao to revalue the faith and religious heritage of Callao.
In a moving ceremony led by the provincial mayor of Callao, Pedro Spadaro Phillips, the "Paths of Pope Leo XIV" tourist route was officially launched in Callao. This new religious tourism circuit highlights the faith, history, and cultural heritage of the port city. The event was attended by Bishop Miguel Ángel Contreras, Auxiliary Bishop of Callao, as well as the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Elmer Schialer; Agriculture and Irrigation, Ángel Manero; and the Environment, Juan Carlos Castro, among other cabinet members.During the event, held in the courtyard of the Mother Church, artistic activities took place with live music, reenactments of popular faith, and a streaming connection with the cities of Chiclayo, Piura, and Trujillo, where the tourist route "The Paths of Pope Leo XIV" will also be implemented as part of a decentralized effort to promote religion and culture.
“Today, from Callao, we connect spiritually with northern Peru and with all those who recognize faith as a tool for unity and hope; this new Pope's Route is a legacy for the people of Callao and for the country. This initiative not only promotes our religious identity, but also boosts tourism, the local economy, and the pride of being from Callao,” stated Mayor Pedro Spadaro.
The Callao route comprises four important points of historical and religious value:
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel of La Legua

 : Located in Carmen de la Legua, it is considered one of the most visited churches in Callao. Declared a Religious Cultural Heritage site, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated every July 16th with great popular devotion.

Archdiocese of Callao

 : Ecclesiastical headquarters located in Bellavista, from where the pastoral care of the entire constitutional province is coordinated.

Santa Rosa Parish

 : Located on Marco Polo Avenue, this church preserves among its traditions the veneration of the Lord of the Sea, whose image dates back to the 18th century, consolidating a deep connection with the religious history of the port.

Callao Main Church

 : In the heart of the monumental zone, this parish is a testament to the ecclesiastical architecture of the 19th and 20th centuries, and safeguards in its crypt the remains of the remembered Monsignor Durand.

The Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Desilú León Chempén, who participated in the ceremony remotely from Chiclayo, highlighted the importance of this initiative, not only for connecting emblematic places of faith, but also because it is a powerful tool for sustainable development in the regions.

“Religious tourism mobilizes families, activates local economies and preserves the identity of the people,” said the head of Mincetur.

The launch of the tourist route “The Paths of Pope Leo XIV” is part of a national strategy to promote religious tourism led by Mincetur and supported by various dioceses, municipalities and cultural organizations in the country.

With this proposal, Callao is projected as a key point of pilgrimage and spiritual encounter, opening its churches and its history to Peru and the world.Sources: https://www.gob.pe/institucion/municallao/noticias/1212969-lanzan-la-ruta-turistica-los-caminos-del-papa-leon-xiv-en-el-callao-para-revalorar-la-fe-y-el-patrimonio-religioso-chalaco