"Peru Unites": The anticipation for the return of León XIV to the land he considers his home

LIMA.- A fragile democracy, polarization, corruption, rampant insecurity, and poverty affecting a third of the population. But also immense expectation for the homecoming of "don Roberto" and his messages. That is what Pope Leo will find in Peru, according to Monsignor Lizardo Estrada Herrera, the newly appointed Archbishop of Cuzco, Secretary General of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM), and an Augustinian who was a student of don Robert Prevost back in 1996. In an email interview with LA NACION, Estrada Herrera, 53 years old and of indigenous roots —so much so that his mother tongue is Quechua, and he speaks Quechua— answered the following questions. Lizardo Estrada Herrera, by the Peruvian Episcopal ConferencePeruvian Episcopal Conference-How would you describe the current situation — from the political, economic, social perspective — in Peru today? And in what ways has it changed most since Robert Prevost left the country in 2023?-Peru is a country where poverty still exists, affecting nearly a third of the population —especially in the Andean and Amazonian regions—, a country where democracy is fragile, education has not reached the entire national territory, medical care is deficient or almost nonexistent in the highest and most remote regions, there is much corruption and too much polarization in politics, and it is necessary to strengthen the care of our common home in the face of climate change, extractivism, and the illegal economies that run rampant. These are significant challenges, even though Peru's macroeconomy is stable, with a very high level of Net International Reserves and relatively low inflation, but this reality is now facing the Coastal El Niño Phenomenon and the Global El Niño (FEN) —two distinct phenomena— whose effects will be very harsh. Pope Leo XIV arrives in Peru in the midst of the Coastal El Niño.-How is don Roberto's homecoming being experienced?-The Pope's arrival has generated joy and hope everywhere, and although there are differences within the country, at this moment, Peru unites; like a great family awaiting the Pontiff, a brother, someone who knows its reality and at the same time is the Vicar of Christ. Everyone wants to hear him, they want his blessing for their families, their work, and their future.-How would you describe the religious situation in Peru today, and what are the main challenges facing the Catholic Church?-First of all, there is a great popular devotion expressed in various ways, and this great popular devotion is something that unites at the national level; for example, in the south, where once a year massive processions or pilgrimages take place, even though perhaps many of the participants do not attend Mass every Sunday. For the people, the Church is an institution they trust, they perceive its closeness, they value its social works in the fields of education and health, but above all because they consider it a place of listening, of hope, of prayer, in a spirit of family, part of a community. Although the ideal we aspire to does not always coincide with what we really are, and in certain cases negative content is spread on social media that negatively influences people's way of thinking, there is nonetheless much hope of moving forward, and therefore it is necessary to form consciences, people's critical spirit, and their commitment to fraternity and solidarity. Despite the mistakes, most people believe in the Church, listen to and value its teachings, and in many places participate in annual religious celebrations, with their traditional costumes, songs, dances of their own, or in other ways. It is evident that a relationship with God exists.-How has the Church changed since Prevost was bishop, in 2023?-There are important efforts to live synodality, with the support of the National Synod Commission, and the abuses that unfortunately have occurred have also been addressed, but the Church is faithful to the Pope's request of "zero tolerance" toward abuses.-How would you describe the situation in Cusco today? Has Prevost visited Cusco before? And when?-There is still much to be done in Cusco, where the problem of medical care persists, which does not reach everyone; education is still not at an optimal level; there is a lack of support for the elderly, and there is still much social inequality and lack of opportunities. But at the same time, there is much hope, efforts to strengthen communities and develop solidarity economy activities. Father Prevost visited Cusco since he was a formator in the Order in Peru, from Trujillo. He was also here in 2021 when I was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Cusco and at the Mass for the Lord of the Earthquakes.-How is Pope Leo's visit being perceived by the Peruvian population and by the Fujimori government? What is the atmosphere like?-As I said before, at this moment Peru is united and there has been cooperation from the governmental authorities of the national government and of the regions and localities, with the Peruvian Episcopal Conference and the respective jurisdictions. As for the political climate, national and regional/local processes intertwine, especially because of the election results. Mrs. Fujimori's government won by a very narrow margin, and so the country's context remains one of polarization, although there are no situations of violence in the streets, but there is rampant insecurity that the government has not been able to control. Recently, Congress has granted legislative powers to the executive. This situation has generated a significant drop in public opinion regarding the government's performance, as well as that of the bicameral Congress.- What do you expect from Pope Leo's visit to Peru?-As we have said before, there is much expectation. The Pope is coming to his home, among his people, and I imagine his heart is also full of joy. At the same time, the journey we traveled together comes to mind, when I was a seminarian, during my priestly formation, and later as a bishop. I am very happy to be able to meet him again, to hear in him the voice of God that tells us how to face today's challenges in Peru and in Latin America and the Caribbean; how to listen and respond today to the cry of the earth and of the poor, how to promote unity at every level, and how to be builders of peace and integral human development. Surely Pope Leo, during his visit, will insist on the unity of the Church and of all Peruvian men and women to be builders of a disarmed and disarming peace. I believe he will insist on simplicity, courage, and total availability to let ourselves be led by the Lord, guided by the commandment of love, and to make fruitful, in the today of the Church in Peru, the heritage received from Saints Toribio, Rose, Martin, and John Macías, among so many others. Let us remember that when Pope Francis visited Peru in 2018, he called it "blessed land."-When and where did you meet the current Pope?-Father Robert helped me greatly in my discernment to enter the Order of Saint Augustine. After entering the seminary and after my philosophy studies in Apurímac, as soon as I finished the novitiate, I went to Trujillo to study theology, and when I arrived, the one in charge of formation was Father Prevost; it was 1996/97. From those years I remember that we were many, from many places —Iquitos, Chulucanas, Piura, Cuzco, from many parts of Peru— studying, each deepening his own vocation. Father Prevost was my teacher, also Director of Studies, and at the same time a committed pastor as parish priest and, above all, a brother —because we were part of the same Augustinian community—, a friend, a guide. He listened above all, always and with great attention. He cared about knowing how each one of us was doing. And I particularly remember his patience. Together we traveled to several cities in the country. He exhorted us to be good missionaries, parish priests, brothers; he sought the integral good of the seminarians. Father Prevost always encouraged everyone like a close older brother. By Elisabetta Piqué