Pope Leo XIV presided over a Mass on Saturday, November 14, in the square of Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, a town in the Peruvian department of Cajamarca, before some 20,000 people. In the homily, the Pope warned that discouragement, resentment, and violence can tempt those going through difficulties, but that violence “will never be the path of progress and peace.” The celebration is part of his apostolic journey through Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, and took place in the lands of his former diocese of Chiclayo.
The Pontiff took as his guiding thread the parable of the persistent widow from the Gospel of Saint Luke (Lk 18, 1-8), presenting her as a symbol of social fragility. Her plea to the judge, “grant me justice against my adversary,” continues to go unheard today in many places, he affirmed. In response, the Pope proposed overcoming “selfishness, injustice, and evil” through “prayer, patience, and perseverance in denouncing what is wrong,” with petitions made with determination and working diligently for the necessary changes, “without ever losing trust in God.”
Tribute to missionaries and catechists
Pope Leo XIV devoted part of the homily to the missionaries who evangelized these mountains five centuries ago “without provisions or recommendations,” and gave thanks to the priests, religious, and missionaries who, over the centuries, have spread the Kingdom of God there. He expressed special gratitude to the catechists, who, often without the presence of a priest, provide pastoral care for the communities: they lead celebrations of the Word, prepare people for the sacraments, and visit the sick.
The Pope described Santa Cruz as a land of Andean roots and the cradle of a profound Christian faith. At the end of the Mass, he asked the Lord of the Side, “so venerated with great devotion in this city,” to bless and protect the people and inspire thoughts and gestures of unity, charity, and peace.
Migration and rural depopulation
In his reflection on the social situation of the area, the Pontiff mentioned the suffering of those forced to leave their land in search of a better future in the coastal cities. He also referred to the depopulation of the countryside, linked to low birth rates, and the need for an equitable distribution of the earth’s resources.
The Mass concluded with an improvised farewell message in which the Pope expressed his pride in the faith of this people, whom he called “beloved.” “If Jesus decides to come to Santa Cruz, He will find faith. Thank you for your witness,” he said to those present.
The day continued with the return to Chiclayo and the visit to Zaña, where the Pope closed the Jubilee Year of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo. InfoVaticana has reported on other moments of this Peruvian stage, such as the Pope’s warning at the University of Chiclayo and his homily in Chiclayo.