Pope entrusts his life to Mary where he began episcopal ministry in Peru

Pope Leo XIV crowns the Immaculate Virgin at the Cathedral of Chiclayo and entrusts his life and ministry to Our Lady, in the same place he began his episcopal service as the diocesan Bishop in 2015.

On his fourth day in Peru, Pope Leo XIV prayed the Liturgy of the Word at the Cathedral of St. Mary, in Chiclayo, and crowned the image of the Immaculate Virgin.

It was here, in 2015, that then-Bishop Robert Prevost began his episcopal ministry as the Bishop of Chiclayo, a role he served in until 2023, when Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.

In his homily, the Pope thanked God for the opportunity to “celebrate our faith” in his former Cathedral.

He said the crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s image is “particularly significant.”

“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,” he said.

Pope Leo recalled the words of Isaiah just heard in the liturgy, which warn that darkness always lies in wait to envelop us completely.

He pointed to the widespread violence and unspeakable suffering that many people endure around the world.

“Yet, despite this darkness, which so often dims our hope and weakens our trust,” he said, “God’s gift continues to shine before our eyes: ‘For a child has been born for us, a son given to us’.”

Jesus Christ, he added, alone can illumine the hidden corners of human existence and rescue us from sin, revealing our identity as sons and daughters of God invited to share in the joy of His salvation.

Mary’s obedience to the Father’s will allowed for the Son of God to be born into the world.

“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 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.

“To your Immaculate Heart I entrust today my life and my ministry as Successor of Peter,” he prayed. “I also ask you to watch over and protect the People of God making their pilgrim way in these lands and to guide them always to your Son, Jesus Christ.”

In conclusion, Pope Leo offered a prayer through the intercession of the Virgin Mary.

Holy Mary, filled with the presence of God,
who throughout your earthly life humbly obeyed
the will of the Father and gave us an example of simplicity,
we beg you to continue walking with us,
and to obtain for us from your Son, Jesus Christ, through your maternal heart,
the gift of listening attentively to the Holy Spirit,
so that, with the help of his grace,
we may be ready to follow him faithfully,
to be builders of peace and reconciliation,
and servants of the Kingdom of God and of our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Devin Watkins
Source: vaticannews.va/en