Mrs. Dilma Boluarte, President of Peru, greeted the Peruvian citizen Pope Leo XIV with these words upon receiving the news of his election as successor to Pope Francis. Despite the difficult political situation facing Peru, I think it is important to come together and celebrate this great event. Here are President Boluarte’s words:
We celebrate a historic moment for Peru and the world. The election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a Peruvian citizen by choice and heart, as the new Pope Leo XIV. This milestone marks not only the first time that a United States citizen ascends the throne of Saint Peter, but also the first time that a Peruvian citizen, with more than twenty years of service in our land, leads the Catholic Church as Supreme Pontiff.
On behalf of the government and people of Peru, we express our immense joy and send our greetings and a fraternal embrace to His Holiness, Leo XIV. We Peruvians awaited the white smoke with the faith that characterizes the vast majority of our citizens, and today, May 8th, during the month of the Virgin Mary, heaven grants us a blessing with the pastor who will lead the Catholic Church, His Holiness Robert Prevost.
He became a Peruvian citizen in 2015 as an expression of profound love for Peru, a country where he dedicated a large part of his religious life to serving the humblest. In our lands, he sowed hope, walked alongside the neediest, and shared the joys of our people. His choice for Peru was not merely formal, but profoundly spiritual and human. He chose to be one of us, to live among us, and to carry in his heart the faith, culture, and dreams of this nation. Peru, founded on the faith and values of Our Lord Jesus Christ, joyfully accompanies this new beginning for millions of believers around the world. We trust that his pontificate, inspired by the message of peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, may be a source of wisdom, justice, and love among peoples.
Dear Pope Leo XIV, may God guide and strengthen you in your elevated pastoral mission, and may your example and teachings lead us on the path of peace and reconciliation in Peru and around the world. On this day of joy, I invite all Peruvians to join in word and deed to support Pope Leo XIV in his mission to guide the Catholics of the world. His election is a call to renew our faith, to work for justice, and to strengthen unity in Peru and beyond. May his pontificate be a light of hope, and may Peru continue to be his home in his heart.
I conclude with the words the Holy Father spoke today: “Evil will not prevail.” Let us build bridges of dialogue to achieve peace in Peru and around the world.
The Pope is Peruvian. God loves Peru. Long live Pope Leo XIV. Long live Peru.
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