From the friendship with Prevost to the celebration in Rome: “We consider ourselves the Pope’s youths.” The young people of Chiclayo with Leo XIV

A very special Jubilee for young people. “Despite our small numbers in Rome, we identify as the ‘Pope’s youths.’ This closeness inspires us further in our commitment”, Ximena Alejandra Valdivia Muro, coordinator of the Youth Ministry of the Diocese of Chiclayo, told SIR. Msgr. Robert Prevost — now Pope Leo XIV — served as its bishop until 2022. The young people of Chiclayo nurture and enthusiastic closeness to the Pope, but not as many of them were able to attend the Jubilee in Rome due to economic and logistical reasons. Ximena said,

“We celebrated the Jubilee of Young People at the diocesan level on June 8. The event was deeply meaningful and significant precisely because we were aware of how fortunate we were to be there as ‘the Pope’s youths.’ Most importantly, the event fostered a profound sense of unity with the entire Church, particularly at the sanctuary of Motupe, about 80 kilometers north of Chiclayo. This site carries great significance for Peruvians and for Monsignor Prevost, who has visited it numerous times.”

The cave temple where the Cross of Chalpón is kept is a Jubilee site within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chiclayo. Relics of Blessed Carlo Acutis were displayed during celebrations with young people, coinciding with his upcoming canonization. “About 600 young people, including numerous priests, gathered for the Jubilee. We held a procession through the city, distributing leaflets and small cards with messages we had written. This was followed by a Mass presided over by Bishop Edison Farfán, who emphasized the importance of young people in a synodal Church.”

Always ready to accompany and be close to others. Ximena is looking forward to her journey to Rome: “I will be joined by two other young people from Chiclayo.” The group of Peruvians comprises around 150 young people in total, all of whom will have the opportunity to be greeted by “their” Pope. Ximena knows the Pope personally, having been chosen by him to coordinate the Youth Ministry. “During his time in Chiclayo, three of us took turns providing this service,” she told SIR. “The first two found their vocations in the priesthood and religious life, respectively, while I have a lay vocation. I served with Monsignor Prevost for a short time, as he was soon called to the Vatican. But we were involved in various activities during that period.

I remember his constant support, his personal attention, and how he showed genuine closeness not only to me, but to the other young people too. He was always there to listen to them and let them take pictures with him.

As he was preparing to take his leave for the Vatican, Chiclayo was selected as the venue for a meeting of youth ministry from across northern Peru. Even then, he helped us greatly with the preparations for the event. We all felt his closeness then, and we still do today. Ximena asked SIR to convey the following brief greeting to the Pope in anticipation of the Jubilee encounter: “We send you our warmest greetings. We pray for you constantly and are committed to living by your message and guidance.”

He instilled trust and confidence in young people. Luis Omar Tasson served alongside Bishop Prevost for many years in the coordinating activities of youth ministry in Chiclayo. During that time, he discovered his vocation to the priesthood and missionary life. He is currently in South Africa, completing his period of formation with the Comboni Missionaries before his forthcoming ordination. He discovered his vocation in Panama during the 2019 World Youth Day. Thanks to Bishop Prevost’s insistence and his offer of financial assistance to cover travel expenses, a group of young people from Chiclayo were able to take part in the event. Luis Omar experienced moments of fatigue and concern during the preparations for the journey, but his bishop was once again there to offer him support and encouragement. He had met the bishop a few years earlier: “I took up my position in the Youth Ministry shortly after he arrived in Chiclayo, and I served in this role for six years, until 2020. Monsignor Prevost maintained a discreet yet constant presence, actively participating in meetings, and his dedication continues to inspire me to this day. To give one example, he readily accepted all of our invitations,

He inspired trust and confidence in young people.

On one occasion, he agreed to answer questions from those present, responding with great openness. He also attended festive occasions with music and dancing. I remember one occasion at the cathedral rectory when a festive gathering was underway and it was getting late. At a certain point, the bishop arrived. After a brief embarrassed pause, the bishop told us to continue and said that he had only come down to see what we were doing.”

The WYD in Panama. Tasson continues, “his discreet presence was accompanied by remarkable clarity of choice, while at the same time adopting a participatory decision-making style, never imposing his view. His pastoral ministry was deeply marked by synodality and by his ability to include and integrate everyone and preserve unity.

He also infused pastoral ministry with a strong dynamism, building on Latin America’s rich legacy of the pastoral care.

During that period, he remarked, “I hope to see a group of young people from Chiclayo participate in the Youth Day celebrations in Panama.” This was something completely new to us. He suggested that I mention it at a diocesan meeting of priests. However, I was concerned about the organisational and financial aspects, among other things. One day, while I was praying in church, someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was Monsignor Prevost. He encouraged me, and at one point he asked, “How much funding do you need?” He set out to raise the necessary funds for us to participate. Today, I realise that participating in that event was a decisive moment in my vocational journey. Monsignor Prevost greatly valued spiritual vocations. For instance, he organised a festival dedicated to vocations, attended by various congregations.”