Chiclayo, a vibrant city in northern Peru, was brimming with celebration and sentiment on Friday as residents fondly remembered Pope Leo XIV — their former bishop, neighbor, and friend — who has now become the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Although born in Chicago, Pope Leo spent a large part of his life in Peru, arriving in 1985 as a young missionary. He settled in the impoverished northern region, dedicating himself to the community and its people for nearly four decades. In 2015, he officially became a Peruvian citizen upon being appointed Bishop of Chiclayo, a position he held until 2023.
In the city’s plazas and cafes, locals shared old photographs and heartfelt stories, recalling a man known for his humility and unwavering commitment to service. Residents remember him driving a white pick-up truck through flooded streets, personally delivering food and medical supplies during Peru’s rainy seasons and the COVID-19 crisis.
“Nothing could get in his way,” said Zury Castillo, secretary of the Chiclayo diocese. Castillo worked closely with him and described how the then-Bishop Robert Prevost brought oxygen and food to affected families. “He didn’t need a driver, he brought bags of food and supplies and handed them out to people crossing through waters.”
Castillo also reminisced about the future pope’s love for local culture. He enjoyed traditional Peruvian Creole music and frequently sang classics like “Mi Perú” and “Alma, corazón y vida”. She added, “Later, when he became cardinal, we told him, ‘the next step is pope.’ He’d laugh and shake his head. But in our hearts something told us that after he left he’d become pope.”
On Thursday, newspaper stands in Chiclayo overflowed with front pages heralding his election. Headlines such as “The pope is Peruvian and misses ceviche” and “The pope is Chiclayano” captured the city’s pride.
Even local restaurants have embraced the pope’s legacy. A popular eatery near the cathedral served what it described as Pope Leo’s favorite breakfast: Frito Chiclayano, a rich fried pork dish served with potatoes and onion relish. Next door, Las Americas restaurant claimed his preferred meal was their fried chicken chicharrón topped with homemade sauce. “The pope ate here,” a chalkboard outside proudly declared.
Rodrigo Cuoto, the manager of Las Americas, recalled how then-Prevost dined there frequently with clergy members, always making time for encouragement and spiritual advice. “He gave me a lot of advice,” Cuoto said. “Always do good, always be thankful, thank God and always be grateful.”
Cuoto said the pope had a special bond with his grandmother, the restaurant’s founder, and even attended her birthday celebrations with other churchgoers. “Her happiness on hearing the news, she was beaming,” Cuoto said.
Also Read | Qatari Team Launches Search for Remains of Americans Killed by Islamic State in Syria
Outside Chiclayo’s cathedral, 73-year-old retiree Marisela Roalcaba expressed her joy after hearing the pope speak some Spanish in his first public address and affectionately mention “his beloved Chiclayo”.
“As a Chiclayo native, he has given me great joy,” she said.
Also Read | U.S. Offers to Facilitate India-Pakistan Talks as G7 Pushes for De-escalation
Inside the cathedral, parishioners filled pews to attend mass and give thanks. Cecilia Pataz was among the faithful, moved by the election of someone she described as a spiritual father. “(Prevost) was a very lovely father ever since he arrived in Chiclayo. We loved him a lot here and we still do,” she said.
As Chiclayo celebrates the ascension of Pope Leo XIV, its people continue to cherish not just his global role, but the lasting impact he made on their lives — one kind act, one local tune, and one shared meal at a time.
