Pope Leo in Zaña: Continue passing on the faith to your children

At the Shrine of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, during his meeting with the local community of faithful, Pope Leo notes that a shepherd is also recognized by the “physical and existential distances” he is willing to travel. He also revealed that his encounter with this community of believers helped him gain a deeper understanding of the Gospel.

The Jubilee Year, marking 300 years since the canonization of Saint Turibius de Mogrovejo, provided the occasion for the Pope to visit the Saint's shrine (VATICAN MEDIA)

“I often arrived to proclaim the Gospel and returned having understood it a little better, thanks to your faith.”

Pope Leo offered these words to the community of believers gathered for his visit at the Shrine of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo in Zaña. 

He gave a short address—considering the speeches and homilies delivered since the beginning of his Apostolic Journey to Uruguay, Argentina and now Peru—but one filled with deep emotion and gratitude.

It all began, as the Holy Father himself explained, on the night before he began his ministry as Bishop of Chiclayo. He spent that night in prayer, asking the Lord, through the intercession of Saint Turibius, to grant him the grace of becoming a shepherd after His own heart.

“That night I asked the Lord to teach me how to be a shepherd.  Looking back on the years that have passed, I now understand that you have been part of God’s answer to that prayer.  For this, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Thank you for your faith, your affection and all that you taught me during those years.”

Memories and the flavours of home

“How I have longed for this moment!” Continuing in this warm and familiar tone, like a gathering among friends, Pope Leo confessed to the more than 10,000 people present at the prayer meeting with the Catholic community of Zaña that, back when he had gone from being Father Robert to becoming a bishop, he had no idea what awaited him. He had certainly expected their hospitality, their affectionate gestures and the open doors of their homes—but also their delicious food!

“Even those familiar flavors have brought back memories of the happy times I spent here.  Thank you for making me feel, once again, that I am home.”

Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo: The love of a shepherd

The Jubilee Year, marking 300 years since the canonization of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, provided the occasion for the Pope to visit the Saint's shrine amid his busy papal schedule.

A Saint deeply loved by all Peruvians—Indigenous, European and Afro-descendant alike. Representatives of these different communities shared their testimonies with Leo XIV, who listened with great emotion and gratitude. He said that he would carry their words of faith always in his heart.

It was in Zaña that the Saint, who had come from the Old World, 'that he surrendered his spirit to the Father while carrying out the pastoral visitation entrusted to him as Bishop of this region.'

Paradoxically, his remains are not there, despite the presence of an empty tomb. One year after his death, they were transferred to Lima.

“His life reminds us that a shepherd’s love is measured also by the physical and existential distances he is willing to travel in order to proclaim Jesus Christ”

The faith of the communities of Mogrovejo

The Pope spoke about the people who followed Saint Turibius during his visits to Zaña, bringing the Gospel to the most remote places.

These were the same communities he had come to know during his own time as Bishop of Chiclayo, including through his visits to Incahuasi and Kañaris, areas inhabited by Indigenous peoples of the region and lovingly accompanied by priests and religious sisters.

The Pope also addressed the African descendant communities, whose ancestors were generations of African men and women forcibly separated from their homes and subjected to slavery, enduring “great suffering and humiliation.”

“Dear brothers and sisters of African descent, today I want to express my affection and closeness to you.  I have had the joy of coming to know your faith, your traditions and the love with which you preserve the memory of your ancestors.  Thank you for all that you contribute to the life of this Church.”

Pope Leo also mentioned another saint, Martin de Porres, whom Saint Turibius himself had confirmed. As the mixed-race son of an African father and a Spanish mother, Martin de Porres continues to remind these communities how much God loves them and to encourage them to persevere on the path to holiness.

The needs of our time

Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of remaining united, caring for one another and never becoming accustomed to the suffering of others, reminding those present that: “There is always someone we can help, someone we can listen to, a family we can accompany.”

He continued: “Dear brothers and sisters, the life of Saint Turibius also invites us to look at the needs of our own time.  I know that many families in this region suffer because of crime, extortion and insecurity.  I am pained at the thought of those who live in fear, of people whose honest labor is under threat and of those who continue to experience discrimination.”

Friendship with Jesus: The Word that transforms

In a final message, the Holy Father addressed the ecclesial community of Zaña and all those who had gathered at the Shrine of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo: “Dear priests, nourish your friendship with Jesus Christ each day, celebrate the sacraments with love and reverence, and always remain close to the people entrusted to your care.  Dear parents and grandparents, continue to pass on the faith to your children and grandchildren.  And you, young people, open your hearts to the Lord, who knows you and has a beautiful vocation for each of you.  Let us allow his word to transform our lives and teach us to love as he loves us.”

Alina Tufani Díaz
Source: vaticannews.va/en