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Peruvian City Unveils World’s Tallest Statue of Pope Leo XIV Ahead of South America Trip
Confirmed
In Short: Callao, Peru, is set to unveil the world’s tallest statue of Pope Leo XIV ahead of his first visit to South America as pontiff.
The Peruvian city of Callao is preparing a unique welcome for Pope Leo XIV, who will visit the country in November as part of his first trip to South America as pontiff. According to Jesuit Father José Luis Gordillo, church leaders are emphasizing Pope Leo’s role as a relevant leader and a symbol of faith, hope, and unity. The 45.9-foot-tall statue, made of steel and marble, will stand in a seafront park overlooking the Pacific Ocean, serving as a symbol of the pontiff’s connection to Peru.
Mayor Pérez of Callao expressed hope that the statue would be inaugurated during the pope’s five-day trip, which will also include visits to Lima, Chiclayo, Pucallpa, and Cusco. The local government donated the park space, while a private firm provided the funding for the statue. Church leaders believe the statue will transmit faith, hope, and unity, becoming a symbol that accompanies families.
The official agenda of the pope’s trip to Peru is expected to be published shortly after Vatican confirmation, which is anticipated around September 15. The visit will begin in Uruguay, the least religious country in Latin America, and will include stops in Montevideo, Paysandú, and Florida. In Argentina, the pope will visit Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Luján. The Peruvian city of Callao, where the pope served as apostolic administrator for 13 months, will be the site of his arrival, though he will not spend time in the city.
Excitement for the papal trip is particularly strong in northern Peru, where Pope Leo served as an Augustinian missionary and later bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. Church leaders are promoting Pope Leo’s teachings and emphasizing his role as a relevant leader, both in the region and globally. The official details of the pope’s itinerary in Uruguay are expected to be released after September 21, according to Gabriela Gómez, press director for the Archdiocese of Montevideo.
Background
South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and most in the Southern Hemisphere, with a considerably smaller portion in the Northern Hemisphere. It can also be described as the southern subregion of the Americas.
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- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.