Peru: Pope crowns statue of Our Lady in Chiclayo, calls for justice in Santa Cruz

Pope crowns statue of Our Lady in Chiclayo

Source: Vatican Media, ICN

Pope Leo spent his fourth day in Peru on Saturday, in his former diocese, where he crowned a statue of Our Lady in Chiclayo, celebrated Mass in Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, and joined the faithful for prayer in Zaña.

As he crowned the image of the diocese's patroness, he recalled learning to be a shepherd among the people of Chiclayo and prayed, "To your Immaculate Heart I entrust today my life and my ministry as Successor of Peter."

Pope Leo then flew to Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, where he prayed before the locally venerated image of the Señor del Costado at the Parish of the Immaculate Conception.

He assured everyone who was ill of the Church's closeness and asked them to pray for him and for everyone in need of God's help.

During Mass, he acknowledged the long journeys made by thousands of Catholics from rural communities in the Andes and thanked the catechists and laypeople who serve where priests are scarce.

Reflecting on the Gospel parable of the persistent widow, he urged the Church and society to heed those whose cries for justice still go unanswered.

He called for prayer and patient action against injustice and commended those working to provide dignified employment.

The Pope concluded the day at the Shrine of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo in Zaña, where he heard testimonies during a prayer gathering marking 300 years since the saint's canonisation.

Pope Leo thanked the people for what they had taught him as their bishop and urged families to keep sharing the faith: "Dear parents and grandparents, continue to pass on the faith to your children and grandchildren."