Pope holds surprise lunch with Peruvian bishops

By Vatican News

“A gesture of closeness and communion that strengthens the pastoral mission of the Church in Peru.”

That's how the country's bishops described Pope Leo's surprise visit to their “fraternal lunch,” according to the X account of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference.

The bishops are in Rome for their annual ad limina visit, scheduled from January 26 to 31. Taking part in the gathering were the bishops of the country’s 46 ecclesiastical jurisdictions, who will be received in audience by the Pope tomorrow, January 30.

The lunch was "a gesture of closeness and communion"   (@Vatican Media)

Prayers for Peru's future

“We are here to pray for peace and for the future of Peru, so that this visit may strengthen all of us and encourage us in faith to better serve others,” said Bishop Carlos García Camader, Bishop of Lurín and President of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference.

“We pray that our future leaders may be good men and women who serve the nation, seek the common good, and above all strive to unite and to 'add', not to subtract or divide,” he added.

Saint Rose of Lima

The Bishops’ Conference also presented the Pope with a mosaic of the Blessed Virgin Mary and an image of Saint Rose of Lima, which will be blessed and placed in the Vatican Gardens on Saturday, January 31.

The last two ad limina visits by the bishops from Peru took place in May 2017, with Pope Francis, and in May 2009, with Pope Benedict XVI.