Pope Leo XIV Meets with Peru's President Balcázar who Later Told Reporters of a November Papal Visit


 Pope Leo XIV Meets with Peruvian President José María Balcázar Zelada at the Vatican

Pope Leo XIV received the President of Peru, José María Balcázar Zelada, at the Vatican on Thursday. Following their meeting, President Balcázar Zelada met at the Secretariat of State with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.


The Peruvian President José María Balcázar announced after the meeting that the pontiff will embark on a pastoral visit to Peru during the first half of November for 8-10 days.

The announcement followed a personal meeting between President Balcázar and the Pope at the Vatican. According to the president, the upcoming papal itinerary will feature stops in Cusco, Iquitos, Puno, Pucallpa, Piura, and Chiclayo—a northern coastal city where the Pope famously spent nearly a decade conducting pastoral work.

The upcoming tour carries deep personal significance for the Chicago-born pontiff. Before his election to the papacy in 2025, the former Robert Prevost lived and served as an Augustinian missionary and bishop in Trujillo and Chiclayo, ultimately obtaining Peruvian citizenship in 2015. Because of these deep ties, he is affectionately known to many in the region as "the Peruvian pope."

While the Vatican has not yet officially finalized the exact dates or a broader regional schedule, the pontiff previously hinted that a trip to Peru would likely be paired with highly anticipated stops in neighboring Argentina and Uruguay. 

The Holy See Press Office described the discussions as "cordial," noting both parties' satisfaction with the strong bilateral relations between the Holy See and Peru, alongside a mutual desire to deepen cooperation.

The talks focused on key areas of shared interest, including:

  • Socio-economic trends and the promotion of the common good.

  • Addressing illegal mining and fostering social cohesion and dialogue.

  • Regional and international socio-political dynamics, specifically concerning migration trends, organized crime, and the global repercussions of ongoing conflicts.

Vatican Briefing: Pope Leo XIV Receives Peruvian President

  • The Meeting: On Thursday, Pope Leo XIV hosted Peruvian President José María Balcázar Zelada at the Vatican.

  • Diplomatic Talks: President Balcázar Zelada also conferred with Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Secretary of State) and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher (Foreign Minister).

  • Key Themes: The Holy See Press Office characterized the dialogue as cordial, reaffirming strong bilateral ties.

Sources - https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/perus-president-announces-pope-leo-visit-early-november-134005612

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-06/pope-leo-receives-the-president-of-the-republic-of-peru.html 

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