New details have emerged regarding the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Peru. The November trip was already known, but additional program points have now been confirmed, and state preparations are taking concrete shape. The new information from northern Peru is particularly interesting. Two days are planned for Chiclayo. Additionally, Leo XIV is expected to travel from there to Santa Cruz Province in Cajamarca.
In Lima, the location for a large mass has also been announced. It is scheduled to take place on November 16 at the Las Palmas Air Base. The Peruvian government has also expanded the organizational framework for the visit. This allows the involved authorities to intensify their preparations for security, traffic, and events.
Pope Leo XIV in Peru: Government Creates New Organizational Framework
On August 25, 2026, Supreme Resolution N.º 132-2026-RE was published. It concerns not only the actual trip of Pope Leo XIV but also preparatory events, meetings, and organizational measures.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can use a special procedure for necessary state procurements. This is intended for official events involving heads of state and other high-ranking dignitaries. The necessary expenses for this will be financed from the budget of the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
An extraordinary high-level commission for the papal visit had already been established. Various ministries and other government agencies are involved. On August 25, the state-run Diario Oficial El Peruano reported on the work of this commission. Representatives of the private sector are also expected to support the preparations. This marks the beginning of the concrete organizational phase of the visit.
Two Days Planned in Chiclayo
For northern Peru, the plans are becoming much more concrete. The Bishop of Chiclayo, Edinson Farfán, stated that Pope Leo XIV is expected to spend two days in the Diocese of Chiclayo. This stop holds special personal significance for the Pope. Robert Francis Prevost himself was Bishop of Chiclayo and lived in Peru for many years.
Some locations for his planned visit to the region have already been named. These include the Cathedral of Chiclayo and the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de la Paz. The Universidad Católica Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo is also among the planned stops. For larger gatherings and celebrations, the area near the Reque Industrial Park is also envisioned. This suggests that Chiclayo could become one of the most extensive stops on the entire Peru trip.
Pope Also Expected to Travel to Santa Cruz in Cajamarca
A particularly interesting new piece of information concerns Cajamarca. According to Bishop Edinson Farfán, Leo XIV is expected to visit the province of Santa Cruz during his stay in the Diocese of Chiclayo. Politically, Santa Cruz belongs to the Department of Cajamarca, but ecclesiastically, it falls under the Diocese of Chiclayo. A large public mass is planned there, according to the Bishop.
This would extend the Pope's journey beyond the officially announced cities of Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco, and Pucallpa. Santa Cruz has not yet appeared as an independent stop in the Vatican's official travel announcement. However, the visit was mentioned by the Bishop of Chiclayo as part of the regional program.
This stop would be remarkable for northern Peru. The Pope would not exclusively visit the large cities. A much smaller province in the northern Andes would also be part of his trip.
Zaña Also on the Program
According to the Diocese, Zaña in Lambayeque is also among the planned locations. The district is located southeast of Chiclayo and has a significant colonial history. Zaña is also not an unknown place for Leo XIV. During his years in northern Peru, he had close contact with communities outside the regional capital.
What event will take place there and how long the stay will last has not yet been definitively published. Therefore, this program item should not currently be associated with a fixed schedule.
Large Mass on November 16 in Lima
For Lima, there is now also a concrete venue. Foreign Minister Carlos Espá announced that Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to celebrate a large mass on November 16 at the Base Aérea Las Palmas. The site is located in the south of the Peruvian capital and offers sufficient space for an event with many participants. Las Palmas has already been used for previous large ecclesiastical events.
With the announcement of the venue, further planning can now begin. This includes security concepts, traffic management, and participant access. Details on participation and potential access restrictions have not yet been fully published. Visitors should therefore not yet purchase offers that promise guaranteed access to the papal mass.
Peru Launches Volunteer Program for Papal Visit
In parallel with state preparations, the Catholic Church is also organizing the reception. The official volunteer program is called "Los Amigos de León". Young people and other volunteers are to support pilgrims during the trip. This includes orientation, accompaniment, and organizational assistance. Participants will receive appropriate training before the visit.
The Peruvian Bishops' Conference has set up a registration process for this. As the travel program becomes more concrete, further tasks and areas of deployment will be announced.
Official Anthem is "León, Hermano del Camino"
The official music for the papal visit has also now been finalized. The anthem is titled "León, Hermano del Camino", which roughly translates to "Leo, Brother on the Path". The song was selected as part of a competition. The anthem was composed by Jaime Montoya. It is performed by the Aguchita Youth Choir and incorporates elements of Andean music, among others.
The choir's name commemorates MarÃa Agustina Rivas López, known as Aguchita. The Peruvian nun and missionary was murdered in 1990 by members of the Sendero Luminoso while working in the Amazon region. In 2022, she was beatified as a martyr. Thus, the anthem has a direct reference to Peru's recent history.
Prayer Translated into Several Indigenous Languages
The official prayer for Leo XIV's visit is also intended to reach as many people as possible in the country. According to Vatican News, it will be translated into Quechua, Aymara, and Awajún, among other languages. This is particularly important for the stops in Cusco and Pucallpa.
Quechua is spoken in various regions of the Andes. Awajún is one of the important indigenous languages of the northern Amazon region. Thus, the organizers are taking Peru's linguistic diversity into account in their preparations.
What Travelers Should Consider in November
For travelers, the new program details are becoming increasingly relevant. Particularly in Lima and Chiclayo, significantly more visitors are to be expected around the major events. Road closures and changes in public transport are likely. However, concrete traffic measures have not yet been fully published.
In Chiclayo, in addition to the city itself, Reque and the connections towards Zaña could also be affected. Added to this is the planned visit to Santa Cruz. Anyone staying in one of the affected regions between November 11 and 17 should therefore follow further publications of the travel program. Demand for accommodation could also rise significantly.
The Entire Program is Not Yet Final
Despite the new information, important details are still missing. The Vatican has so far published the period from November 11 to 17, 2026 and the four main stops of Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco, and Pucallpa for Peru. The complete daily program is still pending. Therefore, individual dates or regional program points may still change.
However, it is now clear that preparations are becoming significantly more concrete. Especially the announced trip to Santa Cruz expands the previous view of the stay. For northern Peru, the papal visit is thus developing into one of the most significant events of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About the New Plans
What's new about Pope Leo XIV's visit to Peru?
New details about the program and organization include two days in the Diocese of Chiclayo, the announced visit to Santa Cruz, and the large mass in Lima.
Is Pope Leo XIV coming to Cajamarca?
Bishop Edinson Farfán has announced a visit to Santa Cruz Province. Santa Cruz belongs to the Department of Cajamarca and ecclesiastically to the Diocese of Chiclayo.
Where will the large papal mass take place in Lima?
The large mass is scheduled for November 16 at the Las Palmas Air Base.
How long will Pope Leo XIV stay in Chiclayo?
According to the Bishop of Chiclayo, two days are planned within the diocese.
Which locations are planned in Chiclayo?
The Cathedral, the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Paz, USAT, and the area near the Reque Industrial Park were mentioned. Zaña and Santa Cruz are also part of the regional program.
What is the official anthem called?
The anthem is called "León, Hermano del Camino". It is performed by the Aguchita Youth Choir.
Is the entire travel program already final?
No. The Vatican has confirmed the main stops. The complete program with all times and events has not yet been published.
Sources
Diario Oficial El Peruano, Resolución Suprema N.º 132-2026-RE, August 25, 2026.
Diario Oficial El Peruano, Information on the state preparation of the papal visit, August 25, 2026.
Vatican News, Information on the apostolic journey and the volunteer program.
ACI Prensa, Information from the Diocese of Chiclayo on the regional visit program.
Reuters, Information on the official anthem of the papal visit.