Pope Leo XIV in Peru, mass today in Santa Cruz then again in Chiclayo: the program

Third day in Peru for Pope Leo XIV. The Pontiff landed in Lima on Thursday for the last stage of his trip to South America: after a day in the capital, Leone moved to Chiclayo, the city of which he was bishop from 2015 to 2023 and where he feels at home.

Today, Saturday 14 November, the program is packed and also includes a day trip. The morning begins with the presence of the coronation rite of the Immaculate Virgin in the Cathedral of Santa Maria in Chiclayo. Then Prevost will make a short stop at high altitude in the Andes: he will go to over two thousand meters, to Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, for the celebration of mass. In the afternoon (South American time) he will return to Chiclayo for prayer with the Catholic community on the occasion of the closing of the jubilee year of Santo Toribio de Mogrevejo. Another eagerly awaited appointment will arrive at the end of the day, namely the meeting with missionaries and representatives of the Amazonian peoples at the Malecón in Puerto Callao, near Pucallpa.

With the university world in Chiclayo

On the Italian night of November 13, the Pontiff met the university world in Chiclayo. Leone underlined the importance of the Catholic university which has "the duty to remember, in the public and political space, that science without conscience ruins everyone's life". In the same way, the Pope continued, "technique without a soul does not really improve life: a humanistic and Christian education, however, supports our ability to weave lasting fraternal relationships, so that we cross the digital age moving from mere connection to authentic relationships that tend towards communion. Technology, dear friends, is not always neutral: sometimes, its forms carry with them the imprint, interests and ambitions of those who design and control it. Therefore - he concluded - it is necessary study it with a clean mind and a pure heart."

Then Prevost returned with his thoughts to the years spent in Peru: "I thank the Lord, the God of life, for the years that he allowed me to share in mission, in the service of the Peruvian people. Secondly, I thank you, because during my years as Grand Chancellor of this institution you helped me to understand that authority is service, that government is listening and that education is a noble act of hope".