The elected Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago in 1955, stepped onto the balcony of St Peter on May 8, 2025. Instead of a standard “Hello, world!” in English, his mother language, or Italian, he belts out a warm “¡Queridos hermanos!”
Using Spanish, giving a heartfelt shout-out to “mi amada Chiclayo en Perú,” where “a faithful people have shared their love and faith.”
That’s bishop Robert Francis Prevost, the first United States’ pope, who’s so smitten with Chiclayo, Peru, that he practically considers himself more Peruvian than American.
Having lived there for decades, served as its bishop. He even become a naturalized Peruvian citizen in 2015; he’s more likely to crave ceviche than a Chicago hot dog.
So, what’s the magic of Chiclayo, this northern Peruvian gem now blessed by a pope? Grab a cold “Inca Kola” and join us for a tour in the “City of Friendship.”
A Quick History: From Mud Huts to Papal Love
Firstly, Chiclayo, the capital of Peru’s Lambayeque region, isn’t a postcard-perfect colonial city like Cusco. Officially founded in 1835, it’s a young buck by Peruvian standards, but its backyard is littered with ancient treasures from the Sicán and Moche cultures.
Then, when the Spanish arrived in the 1500s, Chiclayo was a sleepy backwater, overshadowed by nearby Saña—until pirates and El Niño floods turned Saña into a soggy ghost town by 1720.
Chiclayo stepped up, its dusty, donkey-trodden streets slowly morphing into a commercial hub. By the 20th century, Chiclayo had earned its nickname “La Ciudad de la Amistad” for its warm, no-nonsense vibe.
As bishop of Chicalyo, Robert Prevost tackled poverty, floods, and even a pandemic while driving a beat-up white pickup truck and eating “papas con queso” with villagers.
Therefore, his Vatican greeting, praising Chiclayo’s “faithful” people, wasn’t just lip service—it was a love note to a city that adopted him as one of their own.
Must-See Spots: Tombs, Pyramids, and a Witchy Market
Chiclayo might fly under the radar for some tourists, but it’s a jackpot for anyone who loves history, adventure, or just plain weirdness.
Bishop Robert Prevost surely explored these sites, maybe even joking about ancient gold while preaching humility. Here’s the lineup:
Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum: A 30-minute drive to Huaca Rajada unearths the tomb of the Lord of Sipán, a Moche ruler buried around 300 CE with enough gold, silver, and turquoise to make a rapper jealous.
The museum in Lambayeque displays these treasures, dubbed the “Tutankhamun of the Americas.” Prevost preferred this one to Chicago’s Field Museum.”
Túcume Pyramids: Nicknamed the “Valley of the Pyramids,” this site boasts 26 adobe structures built by the Sicán culture around 1000 CE.
Some locals swear shamans still perform rituals here at night. Prevost, with his practical streak, probably admired the engineering while dodging stray goats.
Mercado Modelo and the Witch Doctors’ Market: Chiclayo’s sprawling Modelo Market is a sensory explosion. You can imagine fresh mangoes, live chickens, and delicious street food.
Also, we have the infamous “mercado de brujos,” where shamans sell everything from love potions to dried llama fetuses for good luck.
Prevost, ever the people’s bishop, likely strolled through, chatting with vendors who now brag, “The pope haggled for my herbs!”
Pimentel Beach: Finally, this nearby coastal town offers sandy shores, ceviche shacks, and caballitos de totora—traditional reed boats used for fishing.
Prevost, who loved connecting with locals, might’ve kicked back here with a plate of fish and a Coke, his go-to drink.
Food: A Tasty Ode to Chiclayo’s Soul
When he was the bishop of Chiclayo, Pope Leo XIV’s taste buds were probably doing a happy dance, too. The city’s cuisine blends coastal zest, Andean heartiness, and a dash of Peruvian Amazonian flair. Here’s what Prevost likely savored:
Arroz con Pato: We have this cilantro-infused rice and duck dish, cooked with dark beer, which is Chiclayo’s comfort food. Prevost, bouncing between parishes, probably wolfed this down with glee.
Ceviche Norteño: Forget Lima’s fancy ceviche. Chiclayo’s version, made with local corvina and spiked with ají amarillo, is bold and beachy. Prevost, spotted at coastal eateries, surely loved this zesty dish.
Chicha de Jora: This fermented corn drink, slightly boozy and refreshing, is a northern Peru staple. In Monsefú, a nearby village, chicha flows like water, and Prevost might’ve raised a glass at community fiestas
Espesado: A thick, soul-warming soup of corn, beef, and veggies, popular in rural areas. Prevost, who ate whatever villagers offered, likely slurped this after long days in the Andes.
King Kong: Not the movie monster, but a giant layered dessert of cookies, dulce de leche, and pineapple jam. It’s so big, it could feed a parish. Prevost, with his sweet tooth, might’ve snuck a piece at a church bazaar.
Seco de Cabrito: Finally, we save the best for last. We can’t forget Pope Leo XIV’s favorite, seco de cabrito. This goat made stew, along with creamy beans and a zesty salad, promises to captivate your heart, too.
For instance, head to Mercado Modelo to taste these delights, where vendors dish out everything from spicy anticuchos (grilled beef heart) to frothy chicha. Prevost navigated these stalls like a pro, probably joking with vendors who now swear, “The pope loved my food!”
The Papal Glow: Chiclayo’s Moment to Shine
When Pope Leo XIV name-dropped Chiclayo from the Vatican, the city went wild. Cathedral bells rang in Lima, and locals like Isabel Panez called it “a blessing for Peru.”
In conclusion, Chiclayo’s challenges—poverty, crime, floods—persist, but Prevost’s legacy as a bishop who walked with the poor gives hope.
His vision of a “missionary church” that “welcomes all” mirrors Chiclayo’s friendly spirit, where strangers are offered a seat and a steaming plate of “arroz con pato”.
For travelers, Chiclayo is now a pilgrimage spot. Visit the neo-classical cathedral where Prevost prayed, gawk at Sipán’s golden treasures, or sip Chiclayo’s chicha in Monsefú’s lively bars.
You’ll find a city that’s gritty yet generous, where ancient pyramids meet modern hustle, and where a pope swapped Chicago’s deep-dish for “ceviche” and never looked back.
Chiclayo, blessed by Leo XIV, is ready to win your heart too. Finally, for Chiclayo, or the rest of Peru, you can rely on Viagens Machu Picchu.
So, feel free to contact us so you can get info about our best deals, promotions, and tailor-made tours! The adventure in the new pope’s favorite place awaits!
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