Home · Faith · Nov 14 archive
Pope Leo Crowns Mary Statue in Former Diocese
· Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV crowned a statue of the Immaculate Virgin Mary at the Cathedral of Saint Mary in Chiclayo, Peru, during a visit to his former diocese.
Pope Leo Crowns the Immaculate Virgin in Chiclayo | Highlights | November 14, 2026. EWTN News
During the Mass, Pope Leo emphasized the significance of the crowning, stating, '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.'
Pope Leo also addressed the current political situation in Peru, noting that the country has had nine presidents in the past 10 years, four of them since 2023, when he was appointed to a Vatican post. Peruvian Cardinal Pedro Barreto, a Jesuit, said, 'Right now, Peru is experiencing an intensification of the situation that existed when he left the country in 2023.'
The pope's visit to Chiclayo was marked by a series of emotional events, including a Mass and a prayer service at the Shrine of St. Turibius of Mogrovejo Catholic University. He urged the faithful to continue walking together as a single family of God, 'Trusting in her intercession and protection, I invite you to keep walking forward together, as one family of God.'
Father Mechán, who served under Pope Leo when he was bishop, described him as 'a father and a person very close to everyone, without exception.' He added, 'His presence renews that faith and strength as someone who represented our city. It is always meaningful to know where we come from and where we are going.'
The crowds greeting Pope Leo in Chiclayo were smaller than the estimated 3 million who welcomed him in Lima, but the emotional significance of his return was evident. Some had been waiting since the night before to catch a glimpse of the pontiff, with vendors selling hats, mini pope dolls, and sweet Peruvian bread.
Pope Leo also traveled by helicopter to Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, a town about 90 miles from central Chiclayo and 6,675 feet above sea level, where he held a papal Mass and later returned to Chiclayo to participate in a prayer vigil marking the closing of the jubilee year of the canonization of St. Turibius of Mogrovejo, who died in Zana, in what is now the diocese of Chiclayo, on March 23, 1606.
What this adds
The cathedral, which began construction in 1928 and was completed in 1939, was the site of the crowning ceremony.
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Chiclayo was marked by a series of emotional events, including a Mass and a prayer service at the Shrine of St. Turibius of Mogrovejo Catholic University.
Background
Pope Leo XIV returned to his former diocese in Peru, urging all Christians to be missionaries and emphasizing the importance of charity and dialogue.
Over a million people have gathered for Mass with Pope Leo XIV on Friday, underscoring the emotional significance of his return to his former diocese.
What's confirmed
- “I give thanks to God for being here with you today to celebrate our faith as we have so often done, and in the same cathedral in which I began my episcopal ministry,” the pope told Catholics at the Cathedral of Saint Mary in Chiclayo.
- Construction resumed in 1928 and was finished in 1939.
- 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.
- “By her obedience to the Father,” said the Pope, “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.” Turning to the people of Chiclayo, the former Bishop of this territory invited Catholics to walk together as one family of God under the mantle of the Mother of God.
- “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.
- Donning white and gold-embroidered vestments, the pope processed toward the cathedral’s front entrance where thousands packed the main square for the ceremony.
- After the Mass, the pope was escorted to Chiclayo Air Base and transported by helicopter to Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, where he will celebrate Mass.
- One attendee, Rosa Valdivia, told EWTN News that she knew Pope Leo XIV when he served as bishop of the diocese.
- “This family,” he said, “is 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.” Pope Leo XIV then addressed Our Lady directly, thanking her for teaching him to be attentive to the needs of the faithful of Chiclayo as he learned to be a Bishop.
- Mary in Chiclayo, where he served as bishop from 2014 to 2023.
- “Trusting in her intercession and protection, I invite you to keep walking forward together, as one family of God,” the pope said.
- 14: Pope Leo XIV takes part in a Marian crowning ceremony at the Cathedral of St.
What's still developing
- At the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace, the Pope met with clergy, consecrated men and women, seminarians, and members of synodal teams and pastoral councils.
- Among those who shared their testimonies was professor Maria Guzman, who spoke of how faith sustained her family through her son Agustin’s serious health challenges and whom the Pope thanked for her faithfulness.
- Pope Leo then made a brief private visit to the Chapel of St.
- Pope Leo was “a father in terms of that welcoming gesture, patience, help, and also correction, but a prudent man for all,” and his closeness was felt not just during liturgical celebrations, “but especially during critical and difficult moments where human suffering was deeply felt,” he added.
- CHICLAYO, Peru — Pope Leo XIV prayed Saturday for an end to the violence ravaging Peru, addressing one of his adopted homeland’s most pressing concerns during visits to his former cathedral and a remote community in his former diocese.
- This morning, tens of thousands gathered in front of the cathedral, chanted repeatedly “Papa Leon es un Chiclayano” (Pope Leo is Chiclayan) when he arrived for this outdoor ceremony.
Sources
- America Magazinelink
- Ewtnnewslink
- National Catholic Registerlink
- Newscordlink
- OSV Newslink
- Thecatholictelegraphlink
- Vaticannewslink
- Ewtnnewslink
- OSV Newslink
- Los Angeles Timeslink
- WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo XIV Urges Christians to Be Missionaries During Peru Visit link
- WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo XIV Returns to Chiclayo for Emotional Homecoming link
- EWTN News — video link
- EWTN News — video link
- Vatican News - English — video link
- ANI News — video link