STORY: Peruvian Catholics gathered outside the Cathedral of Santa Maria in Chiclayo on Saturday evening (May 10) to celebrate Pope Leo XIV, who served as bishop in the town until 2023.

Devotees flocked to a mass prayer session where they prayed for the Pope and chanted celebratory slogans, affirming he was one of them.

The mass was followed by fireworks and traditional dance performances.

The new head of the global Roman Catholic Church was born in Chicago, but spent decades in Peru. He first arrived in 1985 as a young missionary in the mostly impoverished north, spending many of his formative years in the area.

He became a Peruvian citizen in 2015 when he was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: CHICLAYO, LAMBAYEQUE, PERU (MAY 10, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all) (MUTE)

1. (MUTE) VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF MASS OUTSIDE CATHEDRAL

2. FAITHFUL WAVING VATICAN FLAGS AND CHANTING (Spanish): ‘POPE, FRIEND, CHICLAYO IS WITH YOU’

3. VARIOUS OF FAITHFUL CLAPPING, CHANTING (Spanish): ‘THE POPE IS FROM CHICLAYO’

4. PRIEST LEADING MASS

5. PERSON HOLDING CARD WITH PHOTOGRAPH OF POPE LEO XIV

6. VARIOUS OF PRIEST GIVING COMMUNION BREAD TO FAITHFUL

7. VARIOUS OF FAITHFUL SINGING

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VICAR AT SANTA MARIA CATHEDRAL, ELVER ALEXANDER QUISPE, SAYING:

“Today, all of the diocese of Chiclayo is praying. It’s happiness, because we have a Pope that’s close to us, a Pope that has lived with us. That is the joy the people show today.”

9. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE PERFORMING TRADITIONAL DANCE WITH MASKS AND SPARKLERS

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CHICLAYO RESIDENT, ROSA ORTIS, SAYING:

“I’m really excited with everything that’s going on. We have a Pope who’s practically from Chiclayo, I’m really happy. We came on this blessed night to pray for him.”

11. FAITHFUL LOOKING AT FIREWORKS