Peru prison inmates craft Pope Leo souvenirs ahead of papal visit

Inmates at Lima’s Chorrillos Women’s Prison are hand-crafting velvet dolls and beaded necklaces featuring the face of Pope Leo. The initiative is part of Peru’s “productive prisons” program, which aims to provide vocational skills and funds to support the women’s reintegration into society.

Approximately 78 inmates are participating in the workshop, creating items such as stuffed toys and bracelets to be sold both outside the prison and through deliveries. The production rush comes ahead of Pope Leo’s scheduled visit to South America, which includes stops in Uruguay and Argentina, with Peru serving as the final destination from November 6 to 17.

The Pope, born in the United States as Robert Prevost, is a naturalized Peruvian who served as a missionary and bishop in the country for decades before his election in May 2025. For the incarcerated women, the program offers a way to earn money to support their families and provides a mental escape from daily prison life.