Peruvian bishops release prayer ahead of Pope Leo XIV's November visit
The Peruvian Bishops' Conference published a prayer for Pope Leo XIV's November 11-17 visit to Peru, where he served as bishop of Chiclayo, and asked Catholics to prepare spiritually
The bishops of Peru have published a prayer for the visit of Pope Leo XIV, who will be in the South American country from November 11 to 17. The pope, who served as bishop of Chiclayo and apostolic administrator of Callao in Peru, will visit Lima, Callao, Pucallpa, Cusco and Chiclayo. The bishops are asking the faithful to prepare spiritually.
"We receive the apostolic visit of His Holiness with immense joy because his presence among us will be a true gift for our people and an opportunity to renew our faith, strengthen hope and walk together as a Church in the service of the Gospel," said Bishop Carlos García Camader of Lurín, president of the Peruvian Bishops' Conference, in a statement published Monday, August 17.
The prayer takes up one of Pope Leo XIV's recurring themes, his call for a peace that is "disarmed and disarming" and that overcomes violence and hatred. The bishops said the visit will be a time of grace, and they entrust it to the Virgin Mary, St. Toribio de Mogrovejo, the 16th-century archbishop of Lima, and the Peruvian saints.
The text of the prayer
Lord God, Father of mercy, we thank you for Pope Leo XIV, a shepherd who comes to confirm your people in the faith and to remind us of the joy of the Risen Christ.
Our Peru, the field where he proclaimed the Gospel of your Son, in the midst of its poverty, challenges and hopes, opens its heart to you, the God of Life, and embraces in solidarity the most defenseless of our homeland.
We welcome his longing for a peace "disarmed and disarming," which transfigures conflicts, calms violence and overcomes hatred, opening spaces to walk together as the redeemed people of God.
May the fire of the Spirit that scatters the darkness make his visit a time of grace, renewal and communion for our Church and our nation.
May Holy Mary, Mother of the Church, St. Toribio de Mogrovejo and our Peruvian saints accompany this apostolic visit, so that all of Peru may be renewed in hope and in peace.
Amen.
