Overview
Interim President Jose Balcazar announced on Thursday that Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Peru during the first half of November, following a meeting between the two at the Vatican. According to Balcazar, the pontiff's stay in Peru is expected to last up to 10 days and will include stops in the capital, Lima, the northern city of Chiclayo - where the pope once served - and several other dioceses.
Papal background and ties to Peru
Pope Leo XIV, previously known as U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost, has prior connections to Chiclayo. He was first ordained bishop of the Chiclayo diocese in northwestern Peru and later obtained Peruvian citizenship in 2015. Those ties were noted by Balcazar during their Vatican meeting.
On his impressions from the encounter, Balcazar said: "He has been very generous. He remembered Chiclayo, and we talked about many things beyond national politics, including Chiclayan cuisine." The remark underscores the personal connection the pope retains with the city.
Details of the meeting
The presidential office reported that the meeting between Balcazar and Pope Leo at the Vatican lasted around two hours. Beyond the Peru visit, Balcazar said the pope is also expected to travel to Uruguay and Argentina later this year as part of a wider South American tour.
Scheduling and scope
At this stage, the announcement specifies the general timing - the first half of November - and a maximum duration for the Peru leg of up to 10 days, as relayed by the interim president. The planned stops explicitly mentioned are Lima, Chiclayo and additional dioceses, though further logistical details and the final itinerary were not provided in the statement from the presidential office.
Reporting here is limited to the information released by the presidential office and comments made by President Jose Balcazar following his Vatican meeting with Pope Leo XIV.