Tourism routes tell of Pope's time in Peru
Peruvian tourism authorities expect to host more of the world’s Catholics in northern Peru, enabling them to see a part of the country the current Pope has both strong ties to and has expressed great affection for.
Those authorities have created what’s billed as the Route of Leo, which promotes northern Peruvian cities American-born Pope Leo XIV spent years working in and has publicly stated his fondness for.
“The love that this Pope has for Peru is amazing,” says Yuriko Aquino of Peruvian tourism board PROMPERU. “Now Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost drew attention in Peru when, in his first message from the Vatican balcony, he expressed words of affection for the Peruvian people and sent a particularly heartfelt greeting to (the northern Peruvian city of) Chiclayo, acknowledging the warmth of its people and the deep sense of faith he experienced during his service in the region.”
The Route of Leo – described as a religious and cultural tourism route linked to the Pope’s pastoral life – promotes Chiclayo, Trujillo, Chulucanas and Callao, destinations traditionally overshadowed by such iconic Peruvian Inca sites as Machu Picchu.
Tourism officials hope the Route of Leo will attract visitors from countries with strong Catholic traditions, primarily in Latin America and Europe.
“In this context, and in light of the opportunity to promote this new tourism route, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, in coordination with regional and local authorities, established working groups in Chiclayo, Trujillo, Chulucanas, and Callao. As a result of this participatory process, religious tourism circuits integrating heritage, religious and cultural assets were defined and approved as part of the Pope Leo XIV Route,” Aquino says. “Currently, PROMPERÚ promotes the route through the campaign The Route of Leo, whose main objective is to position these tourist sites collectively and with a long-term vision.
The Route of Leo spans four regions of the country and combines religious sites with cultural, historical, and natural attractions:
Lambayeque Region
- Circuit 1: Municipal Palace, Chiclayo Cathedral (Church of Santa María), Virgen de la Paz Sanctuary, San Pedro Church of Monsefú, Santa María Magdalena Church (Divine Child of the Miracle), Pimentel Beach, Santa Rosa Beach
- Circuit 2: Santa Lucía Church of Ferreñafe, San Juan Bautista Church of Íllimo, Pómac Historical Sanctuary Forest, National Museum of Sicán, Túcume Archaeological Complex
- Circuit 3: San Pedro Church of Lambayeque, Sanctuary of the Cross of Chalpón of Motupe, San Julián Church of Motupe, San Pablo Church – Pacora, Santo Domingo Church – Olmos, Sanctuary of the Cross of Cerro Chalpón of Olmos, Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum, and Brüning National Archaeological Museum
- Circuit 4: San Agustín Convent (Saña); Huaca Rajada–Sipán Archaeological Complex and Huaca Rajada–Sipán Site Museum
Piura Region
San José Obrero Parish, Cathedral Parish of the Holy Family of Chulucanas, Chulucanas Bishopric Headquarters, Chulucanas Pastoral Center, Santo Domingo Main Church, Villa La Buena Nueva Religious Training Center, La Encantada village, Cruz Pampa village – Yapatera
La Libertad Region
Archdiocese of Trujillo, San Carlos and San Marcelo Major Seminary, Our Lady of Montserrat Parish, Saint Rita of Cascia Parish, Santo Tomás de Villanueva Convent
Callao Region
Callao Metropolitan Cathedral, Santa Rosa Parish, Carmen de La Legua
The four regions are found in parts of the country that PROMPERU has been trying to boost interest in.
“Pope Leo XIV carried out his pastoral mission in Peru for nearly 20 years,” Aquino reports. “He began in Chulucanas and continued in Trujillo, where he served as formation director, parochial vicar, and judicial vicar. Later became Bishop of Chiclayo, and finally served as Apostolic Administrator of the Constitutional Province of Callao, a role he held concurrently with his episcopacy in Chiclayo.”
Aquino says the Pope’s connection to Peru is generating “clear interest and participation from tourism operators who are already promoting and operating itineraries associated with the Route of Leo, primarily for domestic travellers.”
The Peruvian government is now promoting The Route of Leo via digital platforms and media outlets, including the production of audiovisual content for social media, press releases for various markets, familiarization trips for tour operators, the development of a dedicated platform within the “Y Tú Qué Planes” website, and the presentation of the route at national and international trade fairs.
“The Supreme Pontiff has stated on numerous occasions that he holds a particular affection for Peru due to his pastoral work, his experiences with the people he served, and the challenges, both positive and difficult, that he encountered, especially in the northern part of the country,” Aquino adds.
“There is a positive expectation regarding a possible visit by Pope Leo XIV to Peru as part of a Latin American tour planned for 2026,” Aquino continues. “Such a visit is expected to generate significant benefits, strengthening the Christian faith while also increasing tourism flows and foreign exchange earnings, positioning Peru as a religious tourism destination.
“As a reference, in 2018, the visit of Pope Francis I attracted over 800,000 domestic and international visitors, generated nearly US$90 million in foreign exchange, and stimulated US$11 million in public investment by the Peruvian government.”
Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, through the Vice Ministry of Tourism and PROMPERÚ, says it has prioritized the design and promotion of the Pope Leo XIV Route with a view toward 2026, maintaining a permanent commitment to providing technical assistance to the regions and strengthening strategic partnerships with the private sector for the benefit of religious tourism development in Peru.
