Peru has unveiled its largest statue to date—a 46-foot-tall bronze likeness of Pope Leo XIV—just days before the pontiff’s arrival in the country. The massive sculpture, weighing four tons, was designed by artist Rafael Gutiérrez Quispe and his team in Callao, where it will stand as a permanent tribute to the first American-born pope with deep ties to Peru.
A Monumental Tribute
The statue, which had to be transported in two halves due to its size, now holds the dual distinction of being Peru’s tallest sculpture and the world’s largest depiction of Pope Leo XIV. The pontiff, born Robert Prevost, served as apostolic administrator in Callao before his election in 2025 and has long considered Peru a second home.
Pope’s Homecoming Draws Massive Crowds
Pope Leo XIV’s South American tour has already drawn record-breaking crowds, with an estimated 2.5 million Argentinians flooding Buenos Aires for his Monday Mass. His upcoming stop in Peru—where he’ll meet President Keiko Fujimori and revisit his former diocese in Chiclayo—is expected to draw even larger numbers. Tourism officials predict 3 million participants across various events, with local businesses scrambling to accommodate the influx.
Chiclayo Prepares for Papal Return
The city of Chiclayo, where Pope Leo once served as bishop, is rolling out special editions of its famous “king kong” dessert—a dulce de leche-filled treat the pope once called a favorite. Hotels report near-total occupancy as devotees book accommodations months in advance for what’s being called the region’s biggest tourism event in history.
Pope’s Message Across Latin America
Throughout his tour, Pope Leo has emphasized traditional Catholic values, urging young Argentinians to build families and praising care facilities for the disabled as antidotes to modern society’s “cult of outward appearance.” His Peruvian homecoming speech—delivered in the local Spanish accent he adopted during his decades of service—is expected to strike similar themes when he arrives Wednesday.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2026/11/10/peru-completes-its-tallest-ever-statue-honoring-pope-leo-xiv/