The bells ring for 'Father Roberto' in Chiclayo, his "faithful town": "He is now part of us"

The bells of the Chiclayo Cathedral rang like never before to receive Leo XIV this Saturday, who officiated so many masses with the smell of the people in the Capital of Friendship. On his return he led the coronation rite of the Immaculate Virgin, patron saint of the city, as prayed in these lands as he himself.

At the same time, the Government of Keiko Fujimori declared all of Peru the "Land of Pope Leo XIV" and Chiclayo his "Faithful People." The festival of faith was served.

Robert Prevost moves in Chiclayo as if he were with a gang of friends, so far from the papal pageantry. Hugs come and hugs come, including the cloistered nuns. They have even updated his Peruvian ID, so there is no doubt. In his reasons for claiming Peruvian nationality in 2015, his desire to live forever in these lands in which he sank his missionary roots was suggested.

"I arrive with a heart full of joy, as so many times. Together with you [the Virgin] I learned to be shepherd of Chiclayo," described Leo

But the uncertainties of today's world did not deter the former missionary, who clinched his words to the Chiclayanos with an exemplary challenge: "I invite you to walk together in the search for justice, as a family."

Those who know Prevost best delved into his words to seek a farewell, knowing that it will be difficult for him to return to this, his adopted land. Like Mariana, who carried a photograph with her cousin Brunella in the presence of the Pope, blessed again during the mass. "Yes, I feel like he has come to say goodbye," this administrator, who also attended his last act in Chiclayo, now a cardinal, firmly assures EL MUNDO three years ago.

"It's pure Chiclayo, it has brought us blessings," adds Evaluna, just seven years old, in her mother's arms so that the sea of ​​people doesn't swallow her up. The little girl has drawn her small work of art on a sheet of paper, papal portrait, cathedral and reception included.

"He became a Chiclayano here, because of our warmth and friendliness. Until he is now part of us. Other popes traveled to Lima, but he is the first to come to Chiclayo," the students Ashley, Zuli and Angi confirm to this newspaper, dressed in "Today deserves to be celebrated" t-shirts.

The three girls enjoyed the historic moment along with thousands of their countrymen in the vicinity of the cathedral, very close to where Bishop Prevost slept for years in an austere manner, so far from other bishop's palaces.

The Holy Father also took advantage of the end of the massive celebration in the Pimentel desert to visit one of his favorite places, the Chapel of San Óscar Arnulfo Romero. During his time as bishop he helped rebuild the enclosure built in tribute to the Salvadoran bishop murdered by death squads in the last century because he had become the main voice in defense of human rights.

The bells rang in his day for Saint Romero thanks to the song of the Panamanian Rubén Blades, an anthem of freedom in times of dictatorships, just as they ring today in the land of the Lion of Hope, who also defended tooth and nail the victims of sexual abuse and abuses of power amid the Peruvian turbulence.

His people skills raised the necessary money, with foreign benefactors, so that the Salvadoran saint would not fall into oblivion. His secretary, Edgard Rimaycuna from Chiclayo, was also present behind the scenes with the Pope on his Peruvian tour.