By Currents News
In Rome, a new pope has been unveiled. And 6,000 miles away in Chiclayo, Peru where Robert Prevost lived much of his adult life, virtually everyone seems to have a story about the new pontiff.
“I interviewed him once… one of those people that light you up just by talking,” says Antuanné Bravo, a local journalist, proudly holding today’s newspaper in her hands.
Here, the title says: “We have a pope from Chiclayo!”
Leo XIV first moved to Peru in 1985 as a missionary. By 2014, he was the bishop of this city.
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His dedication to the poor and the most vulnerable is still evident among those who knew him best, like Noelia.
A plant for oxygen that we have thanks to Cardinal Prevost, she says.
“These saved many lives…we had to work three shifts because there were so many people that needed oxygen during the pandemic. Some of the gas tanks still have the names of the patients.
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Prevost made an impact on the lives of many: Peruvians and also migrants – an issue that puts the first American pope at odds with the current U.S. administration.
Lisbeth, who came to Chiclayo in 2018, was one of the beneficiaries of the programs for migrants that Prevost established.
“He advocated for migrants so much here. I’m sure he will keep doing that and work toward that peace, where we can all have a place in the countries where we are,” she says.