Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has received an official invitation to visit Peru, a country deeply linked to his personal and pastoral journey, as preparations quietly advance for a series of major papal trips across Africa and Latin America in the coming years.
The invitation was extended publicly on Saturday by Peru’s newly appointed ambassador to the Holy See, Jorge Ponce San Roman, during a ceremonial event held in the Vatican Gardens. The occasion marked the inauguration of a mosaic and statue of the Virgin Mary sponsored by Peru, with the country’s entire episcopal delegation present.
Addressing the Pope, Ambassador Ponce expressed the hope of the Peruvian people to welcome him soon, saying that he and his fellow citizens “look forward to seeing you very soon in Peru.” While Pope Leo did not formally respond to the invitation, he spoke warmly of the nation, describing Peru as “a country very dear to my heart.”
Peru holds special significance for Pope Leo XIV, who spent nearly two decades there as a missionary and later acquired Peruvian citizenship. The country is often referred to as his “second homeland,” making a papal visit both symbolically and pastorally significant.
The invitation comes as 2026 is emerging as a pivotal year for the Pope’s international travel. According to Vatican sources, an extensive African tour is currently under consideration. Recent confirmations by the President of Equatorial Guinea and the Vatican’s ambassador to Angola indicate that preparations are already underway for a papal visit this year. Additional stops in Cameroon and Algeria are also being discussed, though no official dates have been announced. Vatican officials suggest the four-nation African journey would likely take place after Easter.
Pope Leo XIV has previously expressed his desire that his second international trip as pontiff be to Africa, with particular emphasis on Algeria. The country holds deep historical and spiritual importance for the Augustinian Order, to which the Pope belongs, and is also seen by the Vatican as a key location for fostering Christian–Muslim dialogue.
Beyond Africa, the Pope has openly shared his hope to visit Latin America, naming Argentina, Uruguay, and Peru as potential destinations in either 2026 or 2027. Argentina, in particular, has long awaited a papal visit after Pope Francis never returned to his homeland following his election in 2013.
In a notable departure from standard Vatican protocol, Pope Leo XIV remained in the gardens after Saturday’s ceremony to attend a buffet lunch hosted by the Peruvian Embassy for diplomats and Vatican officials. The gesture was widely seen as a personal sign of affection and goodwill toward Peru, further fueling expectations that the long-anticipated visit may soon become a reality.