Chiclayo honors Pope Leo XIV with public exhibitions and monuments

The Peruvian city of Chiclayo is hosting an extensive public tribute to Pope Leo XIV, marking his deep historical ties to the region where he served as bishop for eight years. An outdoor exhibition along Bolognesi Avenue features 64 images across 32 panels, documenting his transition from a priest in Peru to a senior Vatican official.

The city has embraced the pontiff through various mediums, including large-scale murals, a five-meter statue in the main plaza, and another in the Pimentel seaside resort. Local businesses have also joined the celebration; one restaurant near the cathedral features a sign declaring the food 'blessed' where the Pope used to eat, while another has designated a 'blessed table' in his honor.

These tributes come as the city awaits a planned visit from the Pope between November 11 and 16, part of his first tour of Latin America which includes Uruguay and Argentina. However, the visit remains subject to uncertainty following news that the Pope underwent surgery to remove a lobe of his right lung due to cancer.