VATICAN CITY — The diplomatic landscape at the Holy See witnessed a significant development as Peru’s ambassador to the Vatican extended an official invitation to Pope Leo XIV for a pastoral visit to his second homeland. The invitation came during a ceremonial event in the Vatican gardens on Saturday, where a new mosaic and statue dedicated to the Virgin Mary, sponsored by Peru, was inaugurated.
Ambassador Jorge Ponce San Roman, addressing the pontiff before Peru’s entire episcopal conference, expressed the fervent hope of the Peruvian people to welcome His Holiness in the near future. While Pope Leo did not provide a direct response to the invitation, he emotionally characterized Peru as “such a beloved country to me,” acknowledging his two-decade missionary service there and his Peruvian citizenship.
This development occurs against the backdrop of an increasingly busy 2026 travel schedule for the pontiff. Multiple sources have confirmed that Vatican officials are coordinating a substantial four-nation African journey, with planned stops in Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Cameroon, and Algeria. Although specific dates remain unannounced, diplomatic channels indicate the expedition will likely commence after Easter celebrations.
The African itinerary carries particular theological significance, especially the potential visit to Algeria, which holds profound importance for Pope Leo’s Augustinian religious order and represents a crucial nexus in Christian-Muslim dialogue that the Vatican seeks to emphasize.
Concurrently, South American nations are anticipating papal visits, with Argentina, Uruguay, and Peru under consideration for either 2026 or 2027. Argentina has been particularly awaiting a papal visit since Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, did not return to his native country following his 2013 election.
The Saturday ceremony concluded with an unusual breach of diplomatic protocol as Pope Leo remained for an extended buffet lunch hosted by the Peruvian Embassy. For approximately an hour, the pontiff engaged in cordial discussions with Ambassador Ponce and Peruvian bishops in a shaded area of the gardens, while caterers prepared traditional Peruvian delicacies including pisco sour cocktails and ravioli with huancaina sauce. Despite intermittent rainfall, the gathering maintained a joyful and relaxed atmosphere, underscoring the pontiff’s evident comfort among his Peruvian compatriots.