Pope Leo XIV Denounces Discrimination Against Afro-descendants in Peru

Pope Leo XIV denounced discrimination against Afro-descendants and recalled the suffering of enslaved people during a visit to Zaña, Peru, on November 14, 2026. The Pope delivered the speech at the sanctuary of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo to mark the conclusion of a Jubilee Year. This religious milestone commemorates the 300th anniversary of the canonization of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo.

The visit to Zaña is part of a 12-day Latin American tour that began on November 11, 2026. Prior to arriving in Peru, Pope Leo XIV traveled to Uruguay and Argentina. The Pope, who is 71 years of age, previously served as the Bishop of the Chiclayo Diocese from 2015 to 2023.

Massive crowds observe papal procession

Approximately 300,000 people gathered in the streets of Zaña to observe the procession of Pope Leo XIV. The procession included eight members of the Amazonas Chiclayanas riding traditional Paso horses. The religious leader also held a mass in Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, a location situated in the Andes at an altitude of 2,000 meters.

During the visit, Pope Leo XIV expressed affection for Afro-descendants and acknowledged the memory of those who were subjected to slavery. The Pope also expressed concern regarding crime, extortion, and insecurity affecting families throughout the region. This comes as United Nations reports indicate that Latin America and the Caribbean have the highest homicide rate in the world, which is four times the global average.

Community responses to papal message

Local residents and community leaders reflected on the historical context of the region. Gloria Zapata, a 75-year-old Afro-Peruvian resident of Zaña, noted that Afro-descendants were viewed poorly in Peru until recently. Analí Montenegro Mendoza, a representative of the Afro-Peruvian community in the Chiclayo Diocese, stated that the history of the community involves pain and exclusion but also resilience and a desire for an inclusive Church.

The Pope's itinerary continues with scheduled visits to Cusco and Pucallpa on November 15, 2026. The visit to Zaña follows a period of recovery for the Pope, who underwent lung cancer surgery in October. Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo, the subject of the anniversary, was born in Mayorga, Spain, in 1538 and arrived in Peru in 1581.

Glossary

• Jubilee Year — A religious milestone that commemorates a specific anniversary. In the context of the article, it marks the 300th anniversary of the canonization of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo.
• Andes — A mountain region in South America. It contains locations such as Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, which is situated at an altitude of 2,000 meters.
• Mayorga — A location in Spain. It is the birthplace of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo.