On May 8, millions of people heard these words in Spanish spoken by the new Pontiff, elected as universal leader of the Catholic Church. We heard them in this complete sentence:
“And if I may also say a word, a greeting to all and in a particular way to my dear diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru, where a faithful people have accompanied their bishop, have shared their faith and have given so much, so much, to continue being the faithful Church of Jesus Christ. (First Blessing “Urbi et Orbi” of the Holy Father Leo XIV)
It’s incredible how, at that time, half the world searched on maps to find out where Chiclayo or Peru was. A modern desire to understand the geography of the new Holy Father’s missionary world.
But not everyone has understood the meaning of that familiar greeting that, for the first time in history, a Pope speaking in a language other than Italian has used as part of the first greeting to the People of God.
It is not easy to explain or comment on this greeting from Leo XIV to someone unfamiliar with Latin American reality. First, we would need to talk about what it means to be an outgoing church, to walk together as the people of God on the mission of announcing the good news to those who suffer and to the little ones.
This spontaneity of welcoming the shepherd who cares for his flock is reciprocal in villages where the technology of anonymous sharing has not yet contaminated deep human relationships.
“A faithful people,” because they believe and have a living faith in the Lord of history, who invites us to live in solidarity.
“A people who have given so much,” because they shamelessly demonstrate their popular religiosity in the streets, encouraging new generations to practice the teachings of their grandparents.
“To continue being the faithful Church of Jesus Christ,” because fidelity to Catholic traditions in Latin America demands from its pastors that smell of sheep that Pope Francis has pointed out on several occasions.
Really, can all this be meant in a single sentence, in the middle of a speech?
The truth means much more. As some missionaries have commented, it means that the speaker understands fidelity to Jesus Christ through the practice of love and the prioritization of pastoral closeness.
It also means being grateful for the teachings that a community of believers has been able to offer its pastor.
Carlos Espinoza, Scala News
In 2023, the Diocese of Chiclayo had 1,148,130 baptized people out of a population of 1,381,099, representing 83.1% of the total. This percentage speaks volumes for a people whose popular religiosity is a priority in life.
