At a coronation ceremony at the cathedral of Chiclayo, Pope Leo XIV crowned a statue of the Virgin Mary and entrusted the city he once served as bishop to her maternal protection.
In his homily on Nov. 14 at the Cathedral of St. Mary, the pope expressed his gratitude “for the years the Lord granted us to walk together” and for returning to his former diocese as the Successor of Peter.
“This gesture is particularly significant, for the crown I will place upon Our Lady’s head is intended to symbolize the tribute of gratitude and filial love offered to her by the pope, together with you and the whole Church, as we acknowledge her as the loving Mother and Patroness of Chiclayo, exalted by God as Queen of heaven and earth,” the pope said in his homily Nov. 14.
Mary holds a particular significance for Chiclayo and northern Peru
As he entered the cathedral’s side entrance, the pope was greeted by hundreds inside. Accompanied by Bishop Edinson Farfán Córdova of Chiclayo, Pope Leo made his way to the sacristy as the people he once served greeted him with chants of “El papa es Chiclayano” (“The pope is Chiclayan”).
Donning white and gold-embroidered vestments, the pope processed toward the cathedral’s front entrance where thousands packed the main square for the ceremony. Near Pope Leo stood a statue of Mary, draped in ornate blue and gold, and a small pillar in front bore the large gold crown he would later place on her head.
As he placed the crown, the choir broke into song, chanting the “Magnificat” as Pope Leo remained in quiet prayer before the statue of Mary. After the ceremony, Pope Leo re-entered the cathedral to greet the crowds.
Mary holds a particular significance for Chiclayo and the entire region in northern Peru. In October, regional governor Jorge Pérez Flores announced that he would submit a formal proposal to declare the Immaculate Conception as the patron saint of the Lambayeque region.
According to an Oct. 23 statement by the Lambayeque regional government, the proposal, which was backed by the Diocese of Chiclayo, would allow the region to “adopt the same devotion shared internationally with countries like the United States, solidifying a milestone of profound spiritual significance for the Lambayeque community.”
In his homily before the rite of coronation, the pope noted the first reading’s reference to a people who walked in darkness, which “seems to envelop us completely,” especially in today’s world where so many are “threatened by the uncertainty of widespread violence and by the unspeakable suffering that continues to afflict so many of our brothers and sisters.”
In the face of this suffering, he continued, “a defenseless child is God’s answer to a humanity plunged into darkness, yet longing for unity and reconciliation.”
Pope Leo points to Mary as part of the Catholic identity of Chiclayo
Pope Leo said it is because of her “yes” in response to the angel’s annunciation that Catholics invoke Mary as the “cause of our joy,” and that through her obedience, God “makes all things new, rescues us from the tragedy of sin and reveals to us the eternal destiny to which every man and woman is called.”
Addressing Catholics in Chiclayo, the pope reminded them that the devotion to Mary “is part of the Christian roots that shape your identity and strengthen your faith.”
“Trusting in her intercession and protection, I invite you to keep walking forward together, as one family of God,” the pope said. “A family that longs for a world marked by love and compassion, forgiveness and the pursuit of justice. A family confident that Mary Most Holy always shows us the sure path that leads to Jesus, who is the source of abundant life and truth, and who continually offers us new opportunities.”
Expressing his “filial affection to Mary,” Pope Leo said it was at her side that he “learned to be the shepherd of Chiclayo” and it was through her that he learned “to meet its people and to be attentive to their needs, as you did at the Wedding Feast of Cana.”
“To your Immaculate Heart I entrust today my life and my ministry as Successor of Peter,” the pope said. “I also ask you to watch over and protect the People of God making their pilgrim way in these lands and to guide them always to your Son, Jesus Christ.”
Pope Leo concluded his homily with a prayer to Mary, who “humbly obeyed the will of the Father and gave us an example of simplicity.”
“We beg you to continue walking with us, and to obtain for us from your Son, Jesus Christ, through your maternal heart, the gift of listening attentively to the Holy Spirit, so that, with the help of his grace, we may be ready to follow him faithfully, to be builders of peace and reconciliation, and servants of the Kingdom of God and of our brothers and sisters,” the pope prayed.
After the ceremony, the pope was escorted to Chiclayo Air Base and transported by helicopter to Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, where he will celebrate Mass. After the Mass, Pope Leo will return to Chiclayo, where he will preside over a prayer meeting to close the Jubilee Year of St. Turibius of Mogrovejo.
