Pope Leo XIV Receives Formal Invitation to Visit Peru During Vatican Garden Ceremony
In a significant diplomatic gesture, Peru's ambassador to the Holy See has publicly extended an invitation to Pope Leo XIV to visit the South American nation. The invitation was delivered during a special ceremony held in the Vatican gardens on Saturday 31 January 2026, marking a notable moment in the pontiff's emerging travel schedule for the year.
Papal Travel Plans Taking Shape for 2026
This invitation comes as 2026 is shaping up to be a particularly important year for papal travel, with multiple significant journeys currently under consideration. Vatican officials have confirmed that plans are actively being developed for a substantial four-country tour of Africa, likely to take place sometime after Easter. The proposed itinerary includes visits to Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Cameroon, and Algeria.
Pope Leo XIV has personally expressed his desire for his second official trip as pontiff to be to Africa, with Algeria holding special significance due to its importance to his Augustinian religious order. The country also represents a crucial focal point for Christian-Muslim relations, an area the Vatican is particularly keen to highlight and strengthen through diplomatic engagement.
Latin American Connections and Personal History
Beyond Africa, the Pope has indicated his hope to visit three Latin American countries either in 2026 or 2027: Argentina, Uruguay, and Peru. His connection to Peru is especially profound, having lived there for two decades as a missionary before his papacy and holding Peruvian citizenship. Argentina has been particularly anticipating a papal visit, especially since Pope Francis, who is Argentine, never returned to his homeland following his election in 2013.
The formal invitation was delivered by Peru's new ambassador to the Vatican, Jorge Ponce San Roman, during a ceremony to inaugurate a new mosaic and statue dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which was sponsored by Peru. With all of Peru's bishops present for the occasion, Ambassador Ponce expressed the collective hope of the nation's citizens to welcome the Pope "very soon in Peru."
Garden Ceremony and Unusual Protocol Breach
While Pope Leo XIV did not provide a direct response to the invitation during his brief remarks at the ceremony, he fondly recalled Peru as "such a beloved country to me," acknowledging his deep personal connection to the nation. In what represented a notable break from usual Vatican protocol, the pontiff then remained for a buffet lunch organised by the Peruvian Embassy for the invited diplomats and Vatican officials within the gardens.
For approximately an hour, Pope Leo XIV sat with Ambassador Ponce and the Peruvian bishops in a shaded, secluded area near where caterers were preparing traditional Peruvian refreshments. These included pisco sour cocktails and plates of ravioli served with huancaina, the classic Peruvian creamy sauce that added an authentic culinary touch to the occasion.
Despite occasional rain showers, the gathering maintained a joyful and relaxed atmosphere throughout. The Pope's prolonged presence at the lunch, well beyond typical ceremonial requirements, strongly suggested his genuine comfort and sense of belonging among his fellow Peruvians, reinforcing the special bond between the pontiff and the country he once called home.
