Priest and friend of Leo XIV: always listen to the end and give simple and deep advice

Father Hugo Gabriel Sánchez, from Chiclayo (Peru), had planned a trip with his mother for months to tour different Marian sanctuaries in Europe, such as Fatima, Medjugorje and Lourdes, with one last – and mandatory – stopped in Rome.

What this diocesan priest would never have imagined is that his arrival in Rome would coincide with the choice of “Monsignor Roberto” Prevost – the bishop that for more than nine years brought his diocese and with whom he has a friendship relationship – as the successor of St. Peter.

The endearing gesture of Leo XIV

Fr. Sánchez receives ACI Press in the General Curia of the Agustinos in Rome, a few steps from the Vatican and where Pope Leo XIV resided. Despite having recently assumed the Petrino Ministry, the Holy Father found time for an endearing gesture: he personally requested to welcome his friend and mother in the Augustinian community.

This closeness, says the Peruvian priest, is precisely what characterizes the Pontiff: “Since I left Chiclayo, we always send us a message for our birthdays, or when there is a priestly ordination. He also writes if he learns that some priest has a problem.”

Despite having arrived in Rome in 2023 after almost a decade in this small diocese of northwest Peru, Chiclayo will always take a special place in the heart of Pope Leo XIV.

He still remembers with visible emotion the moment of the White Fumata. “I was with my mother in the Sanctuary of Lourdes and had 90 percent certain that the Holy Spirit could give us Mons. Prevost as Pope,” says the parish priest of the Immaculate Church, in the district of José Leonardo Ortíz.

“I was simply expected to say the name of the cardinal and when he said it, we cried with joy along with my mother. Then we thanked God and wrote him a message. He has not yet answered me, but his secretary has told me that we have a little patience, which has received many messages.”

His love for presbytery and confidence in young people

The priest refers the details of his “close” relationship with the pontiff, which was strengthened over the years. “The year and a half of having arrived in Chiclayo, he already gave me several orders in the diocese, something that impacted me because I was very young at that time.”

Father Sánchez stands out in particular the “love of presbytery” that the now Pope demonstrated being a bishop of Chiclayo, as well as the trust and his way of betting on young priests.

“We are a young diocese, but we have many vocations. There is an average of about 80 or 85 priests and he achieved a balance and harmony among young people and those who had been several years,” he said.

“When he arrived in Chiclayo, he liked to be called Father Roberto,” the priest, who in just a few days will celebrate 15 years of priesthood.

Fr. Sánchez recalls the deep impact that caused him, years ago in the Cathedral of Chiclayo, listen to Mons. Premost cite a phrase from San Agustín. Words that the now Pope Leo XIV pronounced again in his first public appearance from the balcony of the Basilica of San Pedro:

“I am a son of St. Augustine, Agustino, who has said with you: ‘I am a Christian, and for you bishop’. In this sense, we can all walk together towards that homeland that God has prepared us.”

Speaking to ACI Press, Fr. Sánchez explained that the Pontiff chose this phrase because “somehow he felt a certain fear of assuming this responsibility, but also comfort to know that he is not alone, but accompanied by his brothers in faith.”

“Always willing to listen”

Also remember your availability, always “willing to listen” and to maintain a conversation with which you will need it. “With me he always had many details. While listening to you, he looked at you, and listened to you until the end. When you finished it gave you a simple, but deep advice. He has a very special charism,” he said.

He also highlighted his desire that the Church had “its doors open for all the faithful”, living “what Pope Francis asked us, which was a synodal church, which is always in an attitude of listening, welcome, and especially out of exit.”

“He loved Pope Francis, he spoke a lot of him, especially of his proximity to the most marginalized and discarded of society. He told us the experiences he had with him to his closest circle,” said Father Sánchez, who believes that Leo XIV will follow his legacy.

During his years as a bishop of Chiclayo, the priest points out, “he gave us an example of service, humility and simplicity.”

The deep spirituality and extensive formation of Pope Leo XIV, a graduate in mathematics, philosophy and canon law, was not an obstacle for “his daily treatment to be simple and close.”

“Before leaving Chicago he was already in advanced studies of German, and handles several languages. But within that intellectual level that surprised us and his preparation, the relationship with the faithful was very simple, I think that due to his ability to listen. His words were simple but deep, always focusing on the gospel and Christ.”

Closeness to the poorest

He also highlighted his proximity to the poorest and people of the town, especially during the most critical moments of the Covid pandemic.

“There are shocking images of the pandemic, when he went to the dining rooms to serve those who had nothing. He always wore food, donations, materials, so that people could have at least a prefabricated house.”

“At that time he had many initiatives, even creating two oxygen plants (industrial facilities designed to generate oxygen suitable for medical purposes) in strategic places, close to the places where the humblest people lived,” he said.

In addition to his ability to listen and bring to those in need the presence of God, Fr. Sánchez stressed that he always delivered something that could help them at that time, such as food. “He promoted Cáritas again in Chiclayo, when he was already practically missing,” he said

Fr. Sánchez is moved by talking about the “strong but simple” faith of Chiclayo, while underlines his proximity to the lay young people. He smiles when he remembers that “there is a very funny video in which he comes out singing with them at Christmas.”

“I had a lot of ease to reach young people. Now on social networks we can see, without exaggeration, thousands of Chiclayanos who have a photo with him,” he said.

Although he knows that his friend, now Bishop of Rome, knows that he is busy, hopes to meet him and give him a gift that had brought him since his beloved Peruvian land.

“He laughs a lot, laughing”

He also highlighted his moderate position, one of the characteristics that, according to the Peruvian priest, “made Cardinal Prevostos.” “His choice came quickly to say that there are no divisions in the Church, and I think the Holy Father will achieve harmony,” he said.

He also stressed that he has “a good sense of humor.” “He doesn’t make jokes, but laughs a lot, laughing, when there is some funny anecdote.”

Finally, he said that “we needed a Pope whose pontificate is longer”, something that expects the Pontificate of Leo XIV, who will turn 70 on September 14.

“As they say in the College of the Augustinians we will have potato for a while, and if God allows it, because at some point he will visit Peru and for the first time a Pope will arrive at the Diocese of Chiclayo,” he concluded with hope.