Cardinal Carlos Castillo urges justice and unity in Peru's Independence homily

On 29 July 2026, Cardinal Carlos Castillo Mattasoglio, the Archbishop of Lima, delivered a homily at the Te Deum ceremony in Lima Cathedral marking the 205th anniversary of Peru’s independence. He described the country’s situation as “catastrophic,” citing rising violence, sicariato, extortion and the erosion of democratic institutions, and warned that global authoritarian trends and unchecked technological control threaten human dignity.

The cardinal called for a national reconciliation that goes beyond symbolic gestures, insisting it must be grounded in justice, restitution for victims and solidarity with the most vulnerable. He urged political leaders to serve the common good, abandon selfish interests, and strengthen democracy and the rule of law.