Pope Leo XIV urges Latin American bishops to follow Saint Toribio's example

Pope Leo XIV has issued a letter to the bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean, marking the 300th anniversary of the canonization of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo, the patron saint of Latin American bishops.

In the letter, the Pope encourages the episcopate to model their ministry after Saint Toribio, emphasizing the importance of being shepherds who are close to their people, faithful to Christ, and devoted to prayer. He reflects on his own past experience serving as a bishop in Peru, noting that the faith of the Peruvian people helped him understand the true meaning of pastoral service.

The Pontiff uses the liturgical rite of a bishop’s entrance into a cathedral as a metaphor for pastoral ministry, suggesting that leaders must enter into the concrete history of their communities. This message comes ahead of the Pope’s scheduled apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November.