After the official Vatican announcement about the appointment of the new Pope, Leo XIVthe first of American origin With Peruvian nationalitythe reactions did not wait. The choice of Cardinal Robert Prevost has generated great impact in the country, not only in religious and political areas, but also in Deportivo.
The former soccer player Claudio Pizarro He was one of the first to pronounce publicly. Through a story in his official Instagram account, the ‘Bomber de los Andes‘He published an image accompanied by the message: “¡Karol!” Celebrating the choice of the new Supreme Pontiff with enthusiasm and pride.
Robert Prevost, who was a bishop in Chiclayo And it has maintained a close relationship with Peru for decades, thus becomes a significant figure for Peruvians within the Vatican. His appointment has been received as a symbol of closeness with Latin America, and has generated samples of joy from different sectors of the country.
The new leader of the Catholic Church Peru arrived as a missionary in 1985sent by the Church. For several years he developed intense pastoral work, particularly in the Lambayeque region, where he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo in 1999. His commitment to local communities, especially in vulnerable areas, allowed him to gain the respect and affection of many Peruvian faithful. Not only did he learn the language, but also adopted many customs of the country that considers his “second home.”
Robert Prevost was not only culturally integrated, but also legally: In 2015 he obtained Peruvian nationality and was officially registered as a citizen by the national Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC). A year later, he processed its National Identity Document (DNI) that the national entity said that it has no expiration date.
-The news of the appointment not only generated emotion in the religious sectors, but also in social networks, where different state agencies took the opportunity to join the celebration. The Reniec, for example, published an image with the message: “The Pope is Peruvian!”highlighting that it has a current DNI for almost a decade.
To this congratulations also added the integral health insurance (SIS)which confirmed through a statement that the now Pope Leo XIV is affiliated with the entity since mid -2023. “It is part of almost 33 million Peruvians who enjoy the free integral coverage of the SIS,” was part of the message published as an official statement. This combination of symbols, having a Pope with a national document and state health insurance, generated a reaction loaded with pride, humor and national identity among Peruvians.
The rise of Robert Prevost al Papado also represents a sign of continuity with the Latin American vision promoted by his predecessor, the Papa Francisco. With extensive experience in pastoral work in impoverished areas and a focus on social justice, it is expected that Leo XIV maintains a speech close to the needs of the Global South.
For Peru, this choice has a special meaning, it is not just a Pope with Peruvian nationality, but by someone who He has lived, walked and served in his territory. Of someone who knows the structural difficulties of the country, has lived with rural communities and has understood from within the challenges of faith in Latin America. For now, the country proudly celebrates this historical fact, which places Peru, for the first time, in the heart of the Vatican.
The entire country lives an unpublished moment With the choice of a Pope who, in addition to being a foreigner, carries in his documentation and in his history a strong connection with the country. The news has been a source of national pride, highlighting the overall impact of a figure that will get into the history of Peruvian culture.
