Jason Azzopardi

In Peru, Pope Leo XIV praises the Blessed Virgin Mary, and entrusts his life, Pontificate and ministry to the Immaculate Heart of Mary: “With good reason, we invoke the Immaculate Virgin, as cause of our joy, for through the yes with which she responded to the annunciation of the angel, God made man entered the history of our world. By her obedience to the Father, He makes all things new, rescues us from the tragedy of sin, and reveals to us the eternal destiny to which every man and woman is called. My dear sons and daughters of this beloved land of Chiclayo, devotion to the Immaculate Virgin, is part of the Christian roots that shape your identity and strengthen your faith. With loving care, the Mother of God has accompanied this people for generations, and continues to accompany you today. Trusting in her intercession and protection I invite you to keep walking forward together, as one family of God, a family that longs for a world marked by love and compassion, forgiveness and the pursuit of justice, a family confident that Mary, most holy, always shows us the sure path that leads to Jesus who is the source of abundant life and truth, and who continually offers us new opportunities. To you, our dear Immaculate Mother, I lift my gaze and my heart today with filial affection. At your side, I learned to be the shepherd of Chiclayo, you accompanied me through its towns and cities. You taught me to meet its people, and to be attentive to their needs as you did at the wedding feast of Cana. To your immaculate heart, I trust today my life and my ministry, as successor of Peter. I also ask you to watch over and protect the people of God, making their pilgrim way in these lands and to guide them always to your son, Jesus Christ. Dear brothers and sisters, before taking my leave, until we meet again, I would like to us to join together and reciting this prayer to our Heavenly Mother: Holy Mary, filled with the presence of God, who throughout your earthly life, humbly obeyed the will of the Father, and gave us an example of simplicity. We beg you to continue walking with us and to obtain for us from your Son, Jesus Christ, through your maternal heart, the gift of listening attentively to the Holy Spirit. So that with the help of His grace, we may be ready to follow him faithfully, to be builders of peace and reconciliation, and servants of the kingdom of God, and of our brothers and sisters."

Moving scenes as Pope Leo XIV cries as over a million faithful sing the Salve Regina in Latin to honour Our Lady, the Holy Mother of God, the Virgin of the Miracle of the Rosary, so loved by the people of Córdoba, Argentina.