In Lima, thousands of young people hold a vigil with Pope Leo XIV at the National Stadium of Peru

This is perhaps the most enthusiastic and noisy event that the Pope participates in on this trip to South America. It is the holy noise of Peruvian youth. Fifty-two thousand young people are here at the National Stadium, in Lima, which normally hosts the Peruvian national team's games, but today receives an audience that came to demonstrate their faith.

Vigils are normally very spontaneous events, without the formality of a mass, all over the world. But young Peruvians are even more enthusiastic. The pope arrived in the popemobile, took the Olympic lap around the stadium, and every time he turned to wave to the crowd, the sector of the stadium where he was looking celebrated as if it had been a goal. Faced with so much fervor, the pope arrived on stage visibly moved and, for several minutes, just looked at the crowd, which screamed nonstop.

This trip has been alternating moments of great emotion with strong messages from Leo XIV. But what doesn't change is the affection of the Peruvian people, demonstrated in many ways.

How about getting a hug from the Pope? Giant hug, which involves the whole family. A mural measuring 167 m long and 3 m high, the size of the self-esteem of a people who never tire of repeating: the pope is Peruvian. The mural was unveiled in Callao, on the outskirts of Lima. The resident believes that, painted on the wall, the supreme pontiff has already produced a small miracle. The pope's arrival made the rulers move, she says: "They had to fix the streets, the lanes, build a park, a monument." And he adds:

This Thursday (12), the capital of Peru once again suspended normal life and stopped to see the Pope. He blessed the Lord of Miracles, one of the images that arouses the greatest devotion among Peruvians. At city hall, he received the key to the city. He spoke to the bishops in the archdiocese and at the Mid-Hour celebration in the cathedral, he advised Catholics to seek peace at all times, starting here and now.

In front of the cathedral, the pope spoke about challenges and hopes for the future of the Peruvian people. He said that cultural changes have also changed the roles of men and women, sometimes in a mistaken way: "Experiencing this union does not justify the inequality of domestic tasks and the subordination of one spouse to another." He stated that the sexist mentality persists and called for women and girls to be valued, protected and respected:

It takes just over 24 hours on Peruvian soil. Enough for many remarkable scenes. On Wednesday (11), at the Gran Teatro Nacional, Leo XIV seemed to enjoy the marinera, the dance moved by the traditional Peruvian rhythm. This really is a special trip, filled with the sounds of the country the Pope adopted. Sometimes the music and, forever, the waves of the sea.