Christian World | At a Mass for about 500,000 in Chiclayo, his former Peruvian diocese, Pope Leo XIV said Christians share Christ through coherent lives, not imposed doctrine

ACW | November 13, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass on Friday in Chiclayo, the northern Peruvian diocese he once led, and said all Christians are missionary disciples, Vatican News reported.

About 500,000 people attended the Mass and some one million lined the city's streets to see the pope, according to Vatican News, which did not say who made the estimates.

The Mass was held at the Pampas de Pimentel outside the city, EWTN News reported. Leo served in Chiclayo for almost eight years, first as apostolic administrator and then as bishop, before Pope Francis called him to Rome.

Spreading the faith "does not mean imposing doctrines or trusting efficient strategies," the pope said in his homily. "The answer is through the witness of an authentically Christian and coherent life."

"Without truth, love degenerates into mere sentimentality," he said, adding that "mission cannot be improvised."

Background: Leo began a trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru on Nov. 6, according to EWTN News. On Thursday night he led a prayer vigil with young people in Lima (Pope Leo tells Peru's youth to trust Christ at Lima vigil). He is scheduled to stay in Chiclayo until Nov. 14, EWTN News reported.

Why it matters: Back in his former diocese, Leo said all Christians are missionary disciples and that faith spreads through witness, not imposition, according to Vatican News — a message tied to freedom of religion or belief and the right to share one's faith freely.

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Sources: Vatican News — Pope Leo's homily at Mass in Chiclayo; EWTN News — live updates from the papal trip

Photo: Vatican Media