Pope Leo crowned a statue of the Virgin Mary in Chiclayo, on Saturday (November 14) and formally recognised her as patroness of the northern Peruvian city in which he served as bishop before ascending to the papacy.

During a celebration on the central plaza, crowds cheered as the pope placed the crown over the head of the statue.

"The coronation of the Virgin is a very special moment for us, because we believe in the Virgin, in God, and we attend Mass. We are a community full of faith, and that is why it has been a very special moment for all of us," said attendee Yanina.

Leo arrived in Chiclayo from the Peruvian capital Lima on Friday (November 13) and will remain there until Sunday (November 15).

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

CHICLAYO, PERU (NOVEMBER 14, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF CATHOLICS WAITING FOR POPE LEO TO ARRIVE

2. PICTURE OF THE VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) UNIDENTIFIED DEVOTEE SAYING:

"He (Pope Leo XIV) brings immense joy, brings peace, brings us tranquillity, and gives us hope. I believe he is our son from the town of Chiclayo; he is a son of the people of Chiclayo. We adore him. We love him."

4. CATHOLICS WAITING FOR THE POPE, SINGING AND WAIVING

5. POPE DURING RELIGIOUS CEREMONY

6. CATHOLICS CHANTING

7. POPE CROWNING VIRGIN MARY STATUE

8. CROWD CHEERING

9. CEREMONY IN PROGRESS

CROWD CHEERING

10. POPE EXITING STAGE

11. CROWD

12. POPE ENTERING CATHEDRAL

13. CROWD

14. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CATHOLIC WHO CAME TO SEE THE POPE, YANINA (NO FAMILY NAME GIVEN), SAYING:

"Well, the coronation of the Virgin is a very special moment for us, because we believe in the Virgin, in God, and we attend Mass. We are a community full of faith, and that is why it has been a very special moment for all of us."

15. CROWDS WAVING

16. POPE'S VEHICLE DRIVING AWAY