Pope Leo XIV in Peru, mass in Chiclayo: "A blessing to be here again". PHOTO

Pope Leo

"What a joy to return to Chiclayo! It is a blessing for me to be with you again. Thank you for your affection, your support and your prayers, especially those for my health in this moment of trial that, with the help of God, I am overcoming," the Pope said at the opening of his homily. The reference is to the operation for lung adenocarcinoma which he underwent in October.

The Holy Father focused his sermon on the need to "grow in the awareness that all Christians, whether ordained ministers or lay faithful, are missionary disciples, regardless of our role in the Church and the awareness of faith we have". The theme of evangelization is central, which "is not the imposition of doctrines, nor trusting in efficient structures, but is giving testimony".

There is always a need, the Pope observes, for "a profound respect for the conscience and freedom of every person". And he underlines how "the dimension of charity is indispensable for evangelization: the proclamation of the faith must be combined with charity and help for the most needy". For a baptized person, in fact, "love towards one's neighbor is the heart of the Christian message".

Therefore "evangelization today must deal with the changing conditions and dynamics in the transmission of faith". Prevost highlights how "in some regions of the world" this transmission "has stopped almost completely": this situation "demands from all of us the courage to face new challenges, such as religious indifference, materialism or selfishness, which dictate daily decisions".

The stop in Chiclayo follows the one in Lima and is part of the Pontiff's 12-day trip - from 6 to 17 November - in South America: before arriving in Peru he has already been to Uruguay and Argentina.

Prevost was welcomed at Chiclayo airport by a crowd of people, among small red-white flags, the colors of the Peruvian flag, with the words "Welcome home". Many people then set out on foot to reach the Pampas de Pimentel.

The Pope traveled from the airport to the Pampas in the Popemobile. All along the route he was acclaimed by the faithful of Chiclayo.

After the Holy Mass in the esplanade near the Pampas de Pimentel, the program includes a private visit to the San Óscar A. Romero Chapel, then a meeting with the bishops, priests, men and women religious, seminarians, synodal teams and pastoral councils in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peace. Another meeting follows, this time with the university world at the "Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo" Catholic University. Finally, dinner with the priests of the Diocese of Chiclayo in the "Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo" college.