>ANSA-FOCUS/ Chiclayo anxious, his former Peruvian diocese prays and waits for him

"In Peru we all anxiously await his return. He is one of us, he has lived here for many years.

We pray that he recovers soon, we are all with him, we love him." Milagros is just one of the many Peruvian faithful who are currently agitated for the health of Pope Leo.

Thousands of people are praying with her throughout Peru, as in the rest of Latin America. Messages of sympathy arrived from the Argentine president Javier Milei, the Brazilian Lula and the Peruvian Keiko Fujimori. But it is in Chiclayo, the diocese of Robert Francis Prevost from 2019 to 2023, where the concern has taken on a popular, mass value.

The city, 600 km from Lima, more than any other place in the world, welcomed the Pope's announcement at the Angelus with amazement and concern. And immediately, by word of mouth, prayer vigils and collective rosaries were organized to entrust the life of their beloved former bishop to God and to 'Our Lord of Miracles', also called Cristo Moreno, the most loved in this region.

Just on the eve of Leo A place that immediately transformed spontaneously into a meeting point for the faithful who wish to leave a message of closeness, a thought for the Pope. Everyone prays that he can recover soon and above all that he can confirm the Peruvian stop, the most heartfelt one of his pastoral visit to Latin America, scheduled for next month.

However, the anxiety and fear of these hours did not stop the preparations of the hundreds of volunteers committed to organizing the two-day visit, which promises to be historic for Peru. It is estimated that around one and a half million faithful will follow the Eucharist scheduled for Friday 13 November at 10.30 in the Pampas de Pimentel, a flat area of ​​50 hectares. In addition to the main altar, approximately 40-50 sound amplification towers and approximately 2,000 chemical toilets will be set up. The second day of the pastoral visit will take place the following day: in the historic center of Zaña, the Pope will preside over the commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the canonization of San Toribio de Mogrovejo, with messages addressed to the Afro-descendant, Quechua and Aymara speaking delegations.

In the parishes of the city, the rehearsals of the many choirs that will accompany the religious functions of the Pontiff continue non-stop. On social media, children send messages of a speedy recovery. And in the shops next to the Cathedral, gadgets and souvenirs are already on sale to celebrate the visit. Among them hats, key rings and t-shirts with the photo of the first Pope with a Peruvian passport in history.