Peru: Thousands gather in Lima to greet 'Padre Robert'

Pope leaves Midday Prayers - Screenshot

Source: Vatican Media

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Lima today to catch a glimpse of 'Padre Robert' as Pope Leo XIV is affectionately known in Peru, on his first full day in the country. Large crowds were reported outside the church residence where he is staying. Another 40,000 people chanted: "The Pope is Peruvian!" at the Central Plaza Mayor as he passed through.

At a meeting with Bishops in the Archbishop's Palace and at his first liturgy of the five day Peru leg of his South America apostolic journey, the former Bishop of Chiclayo spoke of the duty of Catholic bishops to walk alongside their flocks as they face poverty and injustice and to strive to follow Jesus's teaching throughout.

He condemned abuse by members of the clergy and indicated that the Church he foresees has no room for individualism or clerical competition in its ranks, rather their priority should be finding ways to work better together.

Although Peru has not had as public a reckoning with clerical abuse as other parts of Latin-America, the Holy Father called on his colleagues to respond to such crimes as Jesus would," with truth, with justice, with, forgiveness, with making amends and an ever more resolute commitment to fostering a culture of prevention and protection."

He urged them to work towards unity and peace, not just among the flocks they were charged with shepherding but also among themselves. "To do this effectively requires opening hearts to our brother Bishops so as to cultivate trust, share our difficulties and strengthen episcopal fraternity.

"No Bishop should feel alone on this journey. No particular Church should carry out its mission as if it were separate from the others," he added. "Peru needs shepherds capable of listening to the questions of our time and illuminating them with the clarity of the Gospel".

Being a bishop, he said, means "entering people's homes, accompanying the sick, meeting young people and reaching out to communities which, due to their geographical remoteness or social vulnerability, are rarely able to make their voices heard."

Celebrating Midday Prayer with the country's bishops, priests, religious men and women, seminarians, synodal teams and pastoral councils in the magnificent Cathedral Basilica of St John the Apostle and Evangelist, the Holy Father later reflected on the attitudes important for being the Church and building a civilisation of love grounded in the common good.

"These include looking upon Jesus as the one foundation on which to build our temple of living stones, being open to reconciliation, which is so greatly needed.

"Peru needs a Church that sows love, capable of building bridges where others raise walls, capable of listening, healing and forgiveness; and, at the same time ready to acknowledge its own infidelities and humbly ask for forgiveness, accepting responsibility for the wounds it has caused both within the community and around it," he added.

In order to find peace he cautioned, "we must first safeguard and nourish it before God, within ourselves, and among those dear to us. Communion does not mean complete homogeneity or necessarily immediate consensus but rather a space where different voices can blend into harmony."

The themes of listening, diplomacy, meeting people where they are at and responding honestly have been a constant throughout his first day in Peru, with his public addresses aimed squarely at the shepherds rather than the flock.

"The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian life. Before the tabernacle we regain the correct perspective on our ministry," he told the Bishops.

The Church does not belong to us; it belongs to Christ. We are messengers who will one day complete our journey. Only God remains!"

Pope Leo's address to the Bishops of Peru: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2026/11/12/0905/01673.html

Watch today's Midday Prayers in Lima: www.youtube.com/watch?v=H98zMkqVxGg