Pope gets invitation to visit Peru during a Vatican garden party, then stays for lunch

Peru’s Ambassador Extends Official Invitation for Pope Leo XIV’s Visit

Peru’s ambassador to the Holy See publicly invited Pope Leo XIV to visit the South American nation during a ceremony at the Vatican gardens on Saturday. The invitation comes as 2026 shapes up to be a significant year for papal travel, with major trips being planned across Africa and South America.

“We hope to see you very soon in Peru,” said Ambassador Jorge Ponce San Roman during the inauguration of a new mosaic and statue dedicated to the Virgin Mary sponsored by Peru. The Pope, who holds Peruvian citizenship from his two decades as a missionary in the country, responded by describing Peru as “such a beloved country to me.”

In a notable departure from Vatican protocol, Leo remained at the event for the buffet lunch organized by the Peruvian Embassy for diplomats and Vatican officials. For approximately an hour, the pontiff sat with Ponce and Peruvian bishops in a secluded spot where caterers prepared traditional pisco sour cocktails and plates of ravioli with huancaina, a typical Peruvian creamy sauce. Despite occasional rain, the gathering maintained a relaxed atmosphere, with the Pope’s extended presence suggesting his deep comfort with his Peruvian connections.

The potential Peru visit is part of a broader travel agenda taking shape for Pope Leo XIV. He has expressed his intention to visit three South American countries—Argentina, Uruguay, and Peru—either in 2026 or 2027. Argentina has particular significance in papal diplomacy, as Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, never returned to his homeland after his 2013 election.

Before these South American journeys, Leo plans to focus on Africa. In recent days, officials from Equatorial Guinea and Angola have confirmed preparations are underway for papal visits this year. Vatican sources indicate the pontiff may undertake a four-country African tour that could also include Cameroon and Algeria, likely scheduled for sometime after Easter, though exact dates remain unannounced.

Algeria holds special significance for the Pope’s travel priorities. Leo himself has stated that he wants his second trip as pontiff to be to Africa, with particular emphasis on Algeria. The North African nation carries importance for Leo’s Augustinian religious order and plays a vital role in Christian-Muslim relations, an area the Vatican is eager to highlight in its diplomatic and ecumenical outreach.

These planned journeys reflect the Vatican’s continued focus on regions often overlooked in global diplomacy. Africa, with its rapidly growing Catholic population, represents a key priority for the Church’s future. Meanwhile, South America remains the continent with the largest Catholic population globally, though the Church faces increasing challenges from evangelical denominations and secularization.

For Peru specifically, a papal visit would highlight its unique relationship with Leo XIV and potentially strengthen diplomatic ties with the Holy See. The country’s Catholic heritage remains deeply embedded in its cultural identity, though like many Latin American nations, it has experienced significant religious shifts in recent decades.

The Pope’s warm reception of the Peruvian invitation signals his personal connection to the nation where he spent formative years as a missionary. Should the visit materialize in 2026, it would mark a homecoming of sorts for a pontiff who maintains deep ties to Peru and would likely generate significant enthusiasm among the country’s largely Catholic population.