Callao will pay tribute to Pope Leo XIV with a monumental statue facing the Pacific
The port city of Callao is preparing to welcome Pope Leo XIV with a work that promises to capture international attention. It is a 14-meter-tall statue that will be installed facing the Pacific Ocean, establishing itself as the largest monument in the world dedicated to the current pontiff. The inauguration is scheduled for next November 4th, days before his official arrival in the country.
A pastoral bond with Peru
The sculpture will represent the pope with open arms, looking towards the sea, in an area he knows deeply thanks to his pastoral work prior to his election as pontiff. According to the provincial mayor of Callao, César Pérez, the goal is for Leo XIV himself to be able to bless the work during his visit, formally integrating it into his official agenda.
This monument not only celebrates his career, but also specially recognizes the work carried out by Robert Prevost —the pontiff’s civil name— during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, while serving as Bishop of Chiclayo, Prevost remained linked to the administration of the Diocese of Callao, traveling between both jurisdictions to lead social assistance initiatives, food distribution, and spiritual support to those most affected by the health emergency.
The construction of this monument is a recognition of the tireless social and spiritual work that the Pope carried out in our communities, especially during the most difficult moments of the health crisis.
Municipal authorities of Callao
A pope with Peruvian roots
Leo XIV’s bond with Peru is deep and personal. The pontiff obtained Peruvian nationality in 2015, after dedicating more than two decades of his life to missionary and episcopal service in the country. This connection is the basis for the great expectation surrounding his visit scheduled for November 11 to 16, which will include tours of Lima, Cusco, Pucallpa, and Chiclayo.
Boosting tourism and national relevance
- The monument will be located in a strategic public park, projected as a new tourist attraction for domestic and foreign visitors.
- The pontiff’s visit has been declared of national interest by the Peruvian authorities.
- The Municipality of Callao is committed to this project to strengthen the tourist and cultural image of the port city.
With this monumental structure, Peru reaffirms its affection for a figure who, beyond his current hierarchy, is remembered as a close collaborator of the local Catholic community. The entire country is in a countdown to welcome a leader who left an indelible mark on its territory.
