Pope Leo XIV Tells Bishops "Like Saint Paul, who became all things to all people in order to win them all, we are called to go out..." FULL TEXT to Peru's Episcopate

Pope Leo XIV welcomed the bishops of Peru to the Vatican for their ad limina visit, and called them to live ad instar Apostolorum - “in the manner of the Apostles”.
Placing their pilgrimage within the wider context of the 300th anniversary of the canonisation of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo, patron saint of the Latin American episcopate, the Pope reminded them that they are “the fruit of the evangelical seed that this holy bishop sowed in those lands.”

ADDRESS OF POPE LEO XIV
TO THE BISHOPS OF PERU ON THEIR "AD LIMINA APOSTOLORUM" VISIT

Council Chamber on Friday, January 30, 2026
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Dear brothers in the episcopate:

I want to extend a most cordial welcome to all of you who have come to Rome for the ad limina visit . [I am grateful for the kind words addressed to me by the President of the Episcopal Conference on behalf of everyone.] I ask you to remind my dear children of Peru that the Pope holds them in his heart and remembers them with affection, especially in his prayers.

It seems providential to me that this visit takes place in the context of the 300th anniversary of the canonization of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo. You, dear brothers and sisters, are the fruit of the evangelical seed that this holy bishop sowed in those lands. Therefore, I would like to propose that, following his example, we read with eyes of faith the reality we face today, which has been well documented in the reports you have sent me. Rest assured that they have been read carefully.

How can the Peruvian Church respond to the many challenges it faces today in its evangelizing mission? The answer may be that which appears in many writings of the first missionaries in America: to live ad instar Apostolorum , that is, in the manner of the Apostles , with simplicity, courage, and total availability to let ourselves be guided by the Lord.

To live in this way means, above all, to safeguard and promote unity and communion. The Apostles, scattered throughout the world, remained united in one mind and one mission. Today too, the credibility of our message depends on a real and heartfelt communion among pastors, and between them and the People of God, overcoming divisions, self-importance, and every form of isolation. A communion like that which Saint Toribio sought when he promoted the Councils of Lima. This meeting is an eloquent sign of the living communion that unites us in faith and mission, and allows me to gratefully acknowledge the adherence to Christ and to the Successor of Peter that you express in your ministry.

At the same time, today's challenges demand a renewed fidelity to the Gospel, which must be proclaimed in its entirety. Saint Toribio did not proclaim his own word, but a Word he had received, trusting in its transformative power. This same fidelity calls us today to a clear, courageous, and joyful proclamation, capable of engaging with culture without losing our Christian identity.

Living like the Apostles also implies total dedication to the ministry entrusted to us. They held nothing back, even unto martyrdom. Along these same lines is the witness of Saint Toribio, who faced dangers and sufferings for one reason only: love for souls, to bring the love of Christ to the most inaccessible places.

To live ad instar Apostolorum means to draw near to all those entrusted to us, taking an interest in them, sharing their lives and their journeys. Like Saint Paul, who became all things to all people in order to win them all (cf. 1 Cor 9:22), we are called to go out to meet them, to listen, to accompany them, and to understand them in order to lead them all to God.

This closeness embraces the presbyterate, seminarians, the consecrated life, and all the People of God, with a special predilection for the most vulnerable and needy. It is a closeness so profound that it can be said of you what was said of Saint Toribio: that he felt for everyone “such love that he carried them in his heart as if he were the father of each one” (cf. Pos. sup. virt. , 503).

Dear brothers in the episcopate, Peru holds a special place in my heart. There I shared with you joys and hardships, learned the simple faith of its people, and experienced the strength of a Church that knows how to wait even in the midst of trials. Because of this great affection, I encourage you to make fruitful in the present day of the Church in Peru the legacy you have received from Saints Toribio, Rosa, Martin, and John, among so many others.

I thank you for this meeting and for all you do to make the Good News resonate in every heart. I entrust you to the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy and gladly impart upon you the Apostolic Blessing, which I extend to priests, to the consecrated life, and to all the beloved people of Peru, especially those most in need of strength and consolation. Thank you very much.