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peru.travel
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
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Chiclayo invites you to feel, learn, and celebrate the faith of Pope Leo XIV.
In northern Peru—bathed in sunlight and wrapped in the warmth of its people—Chiclayo opens its arms to an experience that blends spirituality, history, and natural beauty. This vibrant city, the heart and capital of the Lambayequeregion, is once again making headlines around the world with the heartfelt first message from Pope Leo XIV, who fondly recalled the diocese where he served as bishop from 2015 to 2023.
Today, this special connection inspires travelers from around the world to explore La ruta de Leon, also known as The Pope’s Route—a spiritual journey that reveals the cultural and religious richness of this northern Peruvian region. The route has been highlighted by renowned American writer and photographer Heather Jasperon Frommer’s, one of the most trusted travel platforms. Jasper has been living in Peru since 2019 and has an extensive track record of publications detailing her travels and experiences throughout the Inka country.
Just an hour by plane—or about twelve hours by road—from Lima, Chiclayo, known as the "City of Friendship," and now also recognized as the “Spiritual Birthplace of Pope Leo XIV” blends devotion and history with a rich heritage that captivates every visitor. Let’s begin this spiritual journey!
The first stop along La Ruta de León is the Santa María Cathedral (also known as the Cathedral of Chiclayo), a true guardian of the city. Its majestic neoclassical columns and bright, serene interior invite you to pause, breathe, and take in the devotion of a community that keeps its spirituality alive.
Next to the Cathedral stands the Municipal Palace, home to an exhibition hall showcasing some of the activities carried out by Robert Prevost in Chiclayo, including treasured photographs from his early years as a missionary.
You may also like: La ruta de Leon (The Path of Leo): A remarkable journey of faith through Peru
No journey through the historic route of Pope Leo XIV would be complete without experiencing Chiclayo’s rich cuisine. Just across from the Municipal Palace, you will find restaurants that Prevost often visited, serving traditional dishes such as the famous arroz con pato and causa ferreñafana. Although he usually dined in community kitchens during his years in Peru, the Pope did enjoy meals at several local restaurants — and many people have cherished stories about those encounters that they are always eager to share.
Traditional dishes: arroz con pato and causa ferreñafana. ©PROMPERÚ
But the route does not end there. The next stops lie south of Chiclayo, in the warm and welcoming towns of Monsefú and Ciudad Eten. At the San Pedro Parish in Monsefú, look for the Patron Saint Jesús Nazareno Cautivo and a small chapel displaying historical photographs from the early 20th century, along with documents signed by the Pope himself.
In Eten, you can visit the Santa María Magdalena Church, famous for being the only place in Peru to house a permanent relic of Carlo Acutis. Considered the first Millennial Saint, canonized by Pope Leo XIV, he used computer technology at just 15 years old to share his faith in the Eucharist.
Beyond faith: What to do in Chiclayo
The Túcume Museum, located at the foot of Cerro Purgatorio, preserves one of the most breathtaking archaeological landscapes in the country: a total of 26 adobe pyramids rising from the desert like sleeping giants. This "Valley of the Pyramids" reveals how the ancient civilizations of northern Peru blended art, science, and spirituality to build monuments that continue to astonish to this day.
Another must-see stop is the San Agustín Convent, in the historic district of Zaña. Its stone walls stand as a testament to a faith that has endured through the centuries. Walking beneath its arches and along its corridors feels like stepping back in time — a chance to connect with the spiritual strength that still lingers in every corner.
Archeological site of the San Agustín Convent in the old town of Zaña. ©PROMPERÚ
The journey continues at the magnificent Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum, a cultural treasure that safeguards the secrets of the Lord of Sipán — the legendary Moche ruler. Surrounded by gleaming gold artifacts, exquisitely decorated ceramics, and powerful symbols that tell the story of a glorious past, you will step into a world where history still shines brightly.
As the day fades and the sun paints the horizon in golden tones, there’s no better way to end the journey than by heading to the beaches of Pimentel and Santa Rosa, where the sea meets history. There, the traditional caballitos de totora — ancient reed boats that have glided across the waves for centuries — evoke a deep connection between humankind and nature, between the past and the present.
Exploring The Pope’s Route in Chiclayo is much more than a spiritual journey — it is a transformative experience where faith, culture, and the joy of the Lambayeque people intertwine. It is a path of temples and pyramids, flavors and smiles, memories and legends.
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