The statue of Pope Leo in Chiclayo, Peru, is surrounded by some of the people who attended its inauguration and blessing. / Credit: Photo courtesy of the Provincial Municipality of Chiclayo
ACI Prensa Staff, Nov 18, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).
Chiclayo is celebrating following the inauguration and blessing of an imposing statue of the pope, located in a central roundabout in the city. The statue now welcomes visitors to the northern Peruvian city where Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, served as bishop and apostolic administrator from 2014 to 2023.
The 16-foot white statue, standing atop a 6-foot pedestal, weighs half a ton and is made of fiberglass and resin. The statue was created by artist Juan Carlos Ñañake of Piura, Peru, who collaborated with six other artists over a three-month period.
“It has been an artistic and spiritual challenge. We wanted Pope Leo XIV to reflect serenity and approachability. His smile will welcome all who come to Chiclayo,” said the artist, according to the Andina news agency.
“This work symbolizes the gratitude of the people of Lambayeque to the Holy Father for his message of love, hope, and unity,” highlighted Félix Mío Sánchez, regional manager of foreign trade and tourism for the Peruvian government. The provincial municipality of Chiclayo also participated in the unveiling of the monumental sculpture.
The statue will be part of the Pope Leo tourist route.
The bishop of Chiclayo, Edinson Farfán, emphasized that “by blessing this sculpture, we renew our commitment to walk together: Church, state, institutions, and citizens under God’s gaze, to continue serving Pope Leo XIV with humility and generosity.”
“Our bishop emeritus is the pope of communion; may his example inspire our public and community actions, and may his witness remind us that governing and serving is also an act of love,” he added.
Jorge Pérez, governor of the Lambayeque region, highlighted that the image is also an act of thanksgiving “to one of our brothers, a Peruvian at heart, a Peruvian who walked with us and I am sure walks with us today through his prayers for the well-being of our people.”
Pope Leo XIV obtained Peruvian citizenship in 2015 and this year updated his information to obtain a new Peruvian ID.
The Augustinian friar spent more than 20 years in Peru, serving in Chulucanas and Trujillo, and eventually as the bishop of Chiclayo.
The mayor of Chiclayo, Janet Cubas Carranza, also thanked Pope Leo XIV “for having put Chiclayo on the world map.”
The unveiling of the statue last week included the traditional northern marinera dance, a performance by Donnie Yaipén, who played his song “La Cumbia del Papa,” a fireworks display, and the inaugural lighting of the sculpture of the first American and Peruvian pope.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
