The social legacy of Leo XIV in Peru: years of disasters, poverty and a pandemic

For almost a decade, today Pope Leo XIV – then Mons. Robert Prevosts – left an indelible mark on northern Peru as bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo and president of the local Cáritas Board of Directors.

Between 2014 and 2023, he led an intense social work marked by its proximity, management capacity and a deep commitment to the most needy. His testimony was forged tirelessly among natural disasters, health crises and structural poverty.

When Mons. Robert Prevost arrived at the Diocese of Chiclayo in 2014, he soon gained the confidence of the team in Cáritas. Janinna Sesa Córdova, former director of Cáritas Chiclayo, who worked very closely with him for about eight years, says she was truly a shepherd with a sheep smell.

“At the time of the Covid-19 Pandemia, I infected myself after taking my mother to a medical appointment. I was complicated and I spent more than 15 days hospitalized with oxygen. There I felt the proximity of Monsignor Robert,” said Aci Prensa, from the city of Chiclayo.

“Day by day I sent me messages or audios. I remember telling me: ‘Forget about work, the priority is your health. We need you well.’

Sesa, who directed Cáritas Chiclayo between 2014 and 2024, met the then bishop shortly after his arrival.

“I remember that he visited the facilities of Caritas. Like any change of bishop, we expected to tell us ‘thank you very much’, but he told us: ‘No, we want to continue working together.’ From the first moment, that welcome side he had gave us a unique confidence,” he says.

That attitude would remain throughout its management.

His role during the child’s phenomenon in 2017

With the arrival of the phenomenon of “El Niño Costero” between December 2016 and May 2017, Bishop Prevost was in charge of the response actions in Chiclayo, amid the emergency due to floods that affected more than half a million people.

The floods hit the departments of Lima, Ica, Arequipa, Piura, Tumbes, Chiclayo, Ancash and La Libertad. The National Emergency Operations Center (COEN) estimated in more than 150 those killed by natural disasters, while the National Institute of Civil Defense (INDECI), in mid -May 2017, calculated about 200,000 people affected throughout the country.

“The overflow of the River La Leche caused damage to many districts. Monsignor motivated us, motivated entrepreneurs to generate donations and be able to take help,” recalls Sesa.

“But not only did he add: he joined, he arrived in the truck and even helped load the kits. Sometimes we tried to stop him, but he said: ‘I am here to help, to serve,” he added.

Brought oxygen to a region whipped by pandemic

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the leadership of today Pope Leo XIV charged special relevance, in a context where oxygen scarcity and the economic crisis left more than 200 thousand dead throughout the country, according to a Reuters.

Under the impulse of the bishop, Cáritas Chiclayo launched the “Oxygen of Hope” campaign, which managed to acquire two generating plants, vital in the face of the collapse of the national health system.

In a video posted on Facebook, Mons. Prevost explained that, by March 2021, they were able to gather about $ 383,000, when the original goal was about 190,000.

“Thanks to their arrival, to national and international donors, it was possible to buy not one, but two oxygen plants, which helped many people free. We saw many people crying when collecting the balls, because some were saved, and that was very moving,” says the former director.

Logistics was exhausting, but Mons. Prevost did not stay out, explains Sesa.

“We delivered oxygen in two daily shifts, tomorrow and afternoon, until night. He came to greet us and told us: ‘There is more need out there, we can make a turn. I accompany them.

“It did not pass by”: his concern for rural and remote peoples

The rural and remote areas were also part of the concern of Mons. Robert Prevost.

“In his departures to the Sierra de Lambayeque – a difficult access area – he was driving his truck without support, he carried humanitarian aid managed by himself. He reached high Andean areas where few people attend,” says Sesa.

“There are many needs, such as child nutrition or lack of food, and he was frequently. He greeted from the highest authority to the simplest person,” he adds.

His last campaign in Chiclayo: Humanitarian aid against Cyclone Yaku

In March 2023, before leaving for the Vatican, the future Leo XIV expressed the proximity of Pope Francis with the victims of Cyclone Yaku in Peru. He recorded a message in the affected area and launched an aid campaign.

From one of the areas beaten by the natural phenomenon, the “Peru shakes hand: united by Lambayeque” announced, aimed at providing assistance to the victims of the north of the country.

“There are many people who have suffered. This is one of my last messages from the diocese, and I do it with my heart,” said Mons. Premost in a video that went viral.

Sesa says that the team of Caritas thought Monsignor “was preparing his departure, but arrived with boots, helmet and two more priests … They joined to deliver help in Illimo and Pacora.”

“In that context, the photo that has become viral was taken: in boots, with a helmet, delivering help, blessing personally. That video was his active farewell in Chiclayo,” he said.

A complete pastor who solves any problem

“We always told him: ‘You are very complete’, because if a truck was spoiled, I knew of mechanics. Once it was translated for an Italian foundation. Thanks to that a project for children was approved. That’s fast it was as a manager,” says Sesa.

In health and energy issues, he also impressed those around him. “He had a very vital health. He was in Chiclayo, then he was traveling to the Sierra, he returned. He also took care of the Diocese of Callao for a while. Sometimes he found him at night responding messages that he could not answer during the day. He gave time for everyone,” he recalls.

Prayer as impulse

Amid so much activity, he never left aside spiritual life. “In the transfers to the areas we always saw him pray the Rosary. He was very pious.

“That’s why now the young people hang in networks photos of him confirming them. The people of Chiclayo love him so much,” he says.

Today, as Pope Leo XIV, his figure is known to the world. But for those who treated him in Peru, his face is still that of the nearby shepherd who loaded food, distributed oxygen, who blessed the poorest and their collaborators.

Sesa reaffirms that Mons. Prevost cultivated a fraternal relationship with his team.

“Every year tradition that the Cáritas and the volunteers team shared the Christmas dinner with the diocese team. We had the bed from Morrope and he enjoyed it a lot,” he recalls with a smile.

“We ended up singing carols. When he played the part in English, we all kept silent, because his English was much better,” he recalls.