Photos and videos shared on social media have sparked the admiration and affection of thousands of faithful, revealing a little-known period of Pope Leo XIV's life as a missionary in Peru.
On May 8, 2025, the white smoke announced that the Church had a new Pope. Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, Ill., was elected the 267th successor of Saint Peter.
Leo XIV has a deep connection with Peru, a country that welcomed him for more than two decades and where he became a naturalized citizen in 2015.
During his mission in Peru, he held various ecclesiastical positions: Bishop of Chiclayo, Apostolic Administrator of Callao, and Vice President of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference (CEP).
His closeness to the people left a deep mark, as evidenced by the many posts that have resurfaced on platforms like TikTok and Facebook.
One of the most endearing videos shows the then-bishop singing "Feliz Navidad" alongside young missionaries. The recording dates back to 2014.
@dailymail A resurfaced video shows Robert Francis Prevost, the new Pope Leo XIV, singing at a Christmas party in Peru in December 2014. Standing on stage with a youth ministry band, Prevost gives a solo performance in Spanish with the band playing and the audience clapping. Pope Leo spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru and was appointed Bishop in Chiclayo, before serving as a senior Vatican official for the past two years. 🎥 lesval1106 via X #pope #popeleo #sing #christmas #peru #spanish
♬ original sound - Daily Mail
This TikTok user also shared photos from that time, where he participated in community activities.
@lesval1106 Nuestro querido Monseñor Roberto #Prevost , ahora Papa #LeonXIV Gracias Dios por este regalo. 🥹🫶 Oremos por él. 🙏 #HabemusPapam #popeleoxiv #Chiclayo #Peru #Josif #conclave
♬ Hunchback X Star Wars full version - Wolfe
His pastoral work had particularly significant moments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amid the health crisis, then-Bishop Prevost carried the Blessed Sacrament in a procession through the streets of Chiclayo, providing spiritual comfort to the population.
@infodifusion #Pope XIV walking thru the streets of Chiclayo during the pandemic
♬ original sound - InfoDifusión
In addition, he supported the campaign to install the city's first oxygen plant and coordinated the delivery of humanitarian aid with Caritas during the severe flooding in Lambayeque, Peru.
The appreciation for Bishop Prevost was so great that, upon his departure for Rome to assume his role as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, the community bid him farewell with emotion and gratitude.
@maikol12205 "Reconocimiento" en la Diócesis de Chiclayo por su ardua labor como Pastor me refiero al actual Papa "Eminentísimo y Reverendísimo Señor, Señor Robert Francis, Cardenal de la Santa Romana Iglesia Prevost, quien ha tomado el nombre de León XIV". : : : #habemuspapam #Papa #vaticano #Roma #obispo #chiclayo_peru #robert #robertprevost #Cardenal #papaleonxiv #fytシ #viralvideos
♬ Silenzio - The Dust
@maikol12205 DESPEDIDA del Cardenal Robert Prevost de la ciudad de Chiclayo a Roma . . . #habemuspapam #papa #vaticano #roma #loultimo #chiclayo #chiclayo_peru #viralvideos #fytシ #papaleonxiv #robertprevost
♬ Lautlos Stellen (feat. iPhone & Autosilent Silentalert) - Stumm Schalten
Countless memories circulate on social media featuring Leo XIV: photos, videos of confirmations, youth gatherings, pastoral visits, and everyday moments that take on new meaning today.
@luisguivar28 una bonita experiencia con el ahora papa león XIV. #nuevopapa #peru🇵🇪 #chiclayo
♬ sonido original - Luis Guivar
@paqarifilms #LIVEIncentiveProgram #LIVEInteraction #PaidPartnership “Amar y Servir” @Larito Díaz
♬ sonido original - Paqari
@idip84 ♬ sonido original - Irene💝